It can be confusing to understand and be clear on the roles between psychotherapist, psychologist, and counsellor. Three of these professions work differently in relation with mental health. They all contribute to supporting clients using different techniques and have training backgrounds. It is important to understand the professional roles and how they play a part in supporting individuals.
What’s the Difference between a Psychotherapist, Psychologist and a Counsellor?
It can be confusing to understand and be clear on the roles between psychotherapist, psychologist, and counsellor. Three of these professions work differently in relation with mental health. They all contribute to supporting clients using different techniques and have training backgrounds. It is important to understand the professional roles and how they play a part in supporting individuals.
What is the role of a counsellor and psychotherapist?
Both Counsellors and Psychotherapists work with an ethical body, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapist (BACP) or United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapist (UKCP). Both professionals go through different routes of training but follow the ethical body to deliver work ethically. Every counsellor/therapist has their own way of practicing, it is important to check qualifications and accreditations before engaging with professionals so that it is a safe place for you. Both counsellors and psychotherapists may work in a similar context but have different clinical processes.
Psychotherapists are trained for four – six years to work with different types of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, addiction, behavioural difficulties. They explore with the clients their feelings and emotions to build an understanding of themselves so they can be equipped to cope with new challenges in the present and future. Psychotherapists work and clinically explore at a deeper process level reflecting on how the structure of the client’s personality is influencing their experience of relationships (family/friends/intimate) and the world. Over the long-term work, they work with the clients to explore their emotions and feelings deeper with the use of theoretical models for their clinical understanding on how they can support their clients.
A counselling training is one – two years of training. A counsellor’s role is like a psychotherapist’s role, they work with clients who experience difficulties with life events and mental health. Counsellors work at a more immediate level generally focusing on a current issue that is affecting the client. Often counsellors work with Improving Access to Psychological therapy (IAPT) clients from the NHS and deliver short term work.
Despite the difference in the two professions, both counsellors and Psychotherapists provide a non-judgement environment for the client to feel safe and comfortable.
What is the role of a psychologist?
Psychology is the study of human behaviour through techniques such as observation, psychometric testing and interviews. They often work with individuals, family/group sessions or couples. Psychologists use these techniques for assessments to build an understanding of individuals’ difficulties.
Psychologists often use their interventions and make decisions with the individual requiring the support and with their family members/carers to help overcome any difficulties they are experiencing. They also trained to work with different age groups in groups/families and individuals who experience psychological distress or behavioural difficulties that impacts on their wellbeing.
Clinical psychologists offer cognitive behavioural therapy along with any other psychotherapeutic theory. Like psychotherapists and counsellors, they undertake supervision to guide them to support their clients. Psychologists also work with other professionals, develop services, and carry out research to gain more knowledge and understanding of mental health.