As a therapist, I am often asked by friends, family and clients what the difference is between a psychotherapist and a psychologist in the mental health space. This is a valid question!!!

The predominant narrative around getting mental health support in Australia is:

1. Go to a GP
2. Get a Mental Health Care Plan to get 6 subsidised sessions
3. Go see a psychologist (except expect to be on a waiting list for months before getting support)…
This is an option but please know that it definitely is not the only one!!

In Australia, the primary model of care for mental health is to go see a psychologist. Whilst this is an appropriate option for some of our community members needs, this standardised approach is not the only choice. The medicalised model of care is often pathologising, diagnostic, cognitive based and symptom focused… I do not agree with this approach to our emotional health and wellbeing. To me, it is inherently shaming, judgemental and stigmatising - it can make us think: Is there something wrong with me? (And there definitely is not!!!)

Although over time, more and more people have been looking beyond the standardised medical approach to getting mental health support and are making alternative choices to find and pick a therapist on their terms based on who they resonate with, if their values align and preference of therapeutic approach.

The clients who come to Temenos Psychotherapy are often people who:

• have been to a psychologist or clinical psychologist before and felt it did not help, they felt judged, it felt cold, they felt they had an agenda and didn’t listen to them or it felt in-personal

• wanted someone who has a more holistic approach to therapy that incorporates the body, mind and spirit

• are seeking a holistic practitioner who is tertiary trained and accredited (many have come across dodgy coaches or ‘counsellor’s’ who are actually not accredited or trained in mental health too… many of them unfortunately exist.

Psychotherapists

Psychotherapists are trained professionals who have completed 4 to 8+ years of university training. Psychotherapists can be trained and can use many different psychotherapeutic modalities and theories from different schools such as psychoanalytic, humanistic, existential transpersonal etc. Often psychotherapists take on a client-centred approach which believes that clients inherently have the innate capacity towards growth and self-actualisation. The therapist is not considered the ‘expert’ of a client (as we often see in doctor-client psychiatrist-patient dynamics for example) but rather the client is the expert of their life and circumstances and the therapist knows the skills and tools to create an environment to allow their safe self-exploration to occur. This approach also offers a depth approach to therapy that addresses underlying issues, patterns of conditioning and core beliefs that are impacting an individuals everyday life and relationships.

A therapist doing their own personal therapy and work is one of the most important aspects of our training. This often means that psychotherapist’s have walked a similar journey to the clients they support. If you are seeking psychotherapy, choose a practitioner who is specifically trained in psychotherapy - you may need to check their credentials as some practitioners call themselves a psychotherapist when they have not trained in it.

PACFA (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia) is the leading national peak body for the counselling and psychotherapy profession. PACFA registered psychotherapists are required to have a minimum of a bachelor degree or above in a discipline specific to counselling and psychotherapy to become a member. Plus they have also have needed to completed a minimum of 10 hours of supervision and 40 client hours before registration. Then during registration we require a minimum of 10 hours of supervision but this depends on how many clients we have seen.

Psychologist

Psychologists in Australia typically operate within a medical framework, emphasising diagnosis and then going through a treatment plan together with an aim to alleviate ‘mental illness’ symptoms. They use many scientific based methodologies which into cognition of the human mind and behaviour. Psychologist are often found in many sectors including education, healthcare, academia, government, corporate settings, sports, marketing and private practice (Australian Psychological Society [APS]).

A primary therapeutic approach widely used by psychologists is cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) - it is considered the ‘gold standard’ as it has has the most amount of research done on it (also the most funded…). Some psychologists offer psychotherapy services as they have recognised the limitations of the medicalised model or a needed for an alternative to the standardised CBT only approach. For psychologists to practice in Australia, they must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and can choose to affiliate with the Australian Psychology Society. To become a psychologist, it requires a rigorous educational journey, involving a minimum of six years of training and supervision, ensuring practitioners meet stringent standards of competence and ethical conduct.

Providing psychotherapy requires specialised training and is very different to the typical clinical + medicalised approach that most psychologists are trained in. Make sure to check the credentials and training of the therapist you want to see. Please remember that you are allowed to have a preference, agency and choice in who you see, the support you get and the type of therapy you receive. Your therapy journey should be a collaborative journey with your therapist.

Find the Best Mental Health Service in Adelaide

If you are needing support for your mental and emotional health and wellness, you can reach out to our therapist at Temenos Psychotherapy here. We are here for you when you are ready. We will work with you to get the support you need.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this website is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for personalised therapy or professional advice.

Hi, I am Sophia.

I am an Adelaide PACFA Registered Psychotherapist and Counsellor. Temenos Psychotherapy is my private psychotherapy and counselling practice in Walkerville, Adelaide - South Australia. Over the past 8 years, I have supported the social and emotional wellbeing of 100s of children, young people and adults. I am deeply passionate in providing a holistic and non-pathologising approach to therapy. Truly all of you is welcome!!