Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Psychotherapists – What’s the Difference?

Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Psychotherapists all help individuals and couples overcome their problems and live live with greater meaning and purpose. What’s the distinction between them? Briefly:

Psychologists study behaviour and work wtih people to modify it where it no longer serves them or is seen to be dysfunctional. When psychologists talk about ‘behaviour’ it doesn’t just mean the behaviour you observer – feelings, thoughts and perceptions are also behaviours.

Psychiatrists are also registered medical doctors who have specialised in mental illness and well-being. They study psychopharmacology i.e. use of drugs in modifying behaviour and brain chemistry. They also talk to their client and help them change their outlooks and behaviour but invariably use medication within their treatment.

Psychotherapists form relationships with their clients over an extended period to explore repeating patterns that no longer serve people – i.e. attracting bad relationships, always losing a job or simply not liking themselves or them simply investing in personal development to help them answer the question ‘Who am I and what do I want my life to be about?’ They look at integrating conscious and unconscious elements of the individual so they becomes the choosers of their actions rather than feeling at their whim.

Abuse Issues

Abuse issues affect a person’s life long after the initial trauma is passed.  Abuse occurs in many forms – physical, sexual, psychological, emotional and financial.  Abuse occurs when someone deliberately and illegally or unfairly uses their power to impose pain on another person without their permission.  When abuse occurs within childhood, it is extremely difficult for a child to deal with the abuse at the time.  They belong to the family and have to be connected for their survival – they may feel disloyal or have been threatened not to tell anyone – This creates an intolerable situation for a child who has no way out.

Abuse in adult life is also an extremely painful cycle and self-esteem, feelings of self-worth and ability to escape the cycle become very difficult.  All abuse leaves scars – it is important to process these painful emotions so the wounds don’t keep erupting or that you end up attracting similar situations unconsciously.  Counselling is a confidential and safe way to work through your pain and create a better life.

Trauma Counselling

Trauma counselling is a specific form of counselling which helps individuals who have experienced traumatic events, overcome the immobilising experiences of fear, panic and ”re-living” of the traumatic events.  Events that threaten a person’s basic safety in the world are deemed traumatic and usually involve the person in a situation where they were powerless to resist attack or where they felt at the mercy of another person’s abuse of power.

Traumatic responses can develop into a cycle called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder where the person ‘re-lives’ the psychological experiences and memory of the trauma.  It is important to receive trauma counselling in order to avoid this syndrome worsening and to loosen the grip of intolerably painful memories that keep you caught in the past.