Lecture 3 – The Who’s Who of Mental Health

N:

Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Psychological Scientist, Psychiatrist, Social Worker, Counsellor,

Therapist, Psychotherapist.

We hear these terms thrown around all the time, but what do they actually mean? Today I’ve
brought along my colleague Ann Martin to help us unpack this idea. Welcome, Ann. Can you tell us
what you’re doing here today and just a bit about yourself?

A:

Hi Natalie, thank you for having me. I’m a registered psychologist but I am also completing my PhD
here at UNSW where I’m researching depression and anxiety, so I suppose you could also call me a
psychological scientist as well as a psychologist. Given that I work across a couple of these
professions, I’m hoping that I can explain to you all what they are and how they’re different.

N:

Okay, excellent. So, why don’t we start with your work as a psychologist. What does a
psychologist do?

A:

Ah, this is what people stereotypically think of as psychology. As a psychologist I tend to do one-on-
one therapy to help people work on their mental health. What’s special though about psychology is
that we use evidence-based interventions with a really solid foundation of research behind them. It’s
also pretty interesting as a field because we work across such a wide range of settings including
community centres, private practices, prisons, not-for-profit organisations and even hospitals.

N:

Oh, interesting. So, if someone wanted to become a psychologist, what would they need to do?

A:

Because psychologist is a protected title, that means that in order to call yourself a psychologist you
have to first undergo really specific training and then be registered with the Australian Health
Practitioner Regulation Agency, or AHPRA for short.

N:

And why is this registration requirement important?

A:

Well, for a number of reasons, but mainly to protect consumers. Registration enforces a certain
standard of competency among practitioners. You have to complete certain training and pass certain
competencies before you can register, including a national exam now as well t. It also binds
practitioners to a code of ethics that they have to adhere to, and gives consumers avenues for
complaint if issues ever did arise.

N: Okay, that’s really good. Going back to the training, what is involved in becoming a
psychologist?

A:

Well, we can pull up the AHPRA requirements for people to see if you like. So, this is what’s currently
listed on the AHPRA website https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Registration/General.aspx

So, you can see here that previously you could complete a four year undergraduate training followed
by a two year internship, but this is currently being phased out in favour of a five year undergrad
training followed by a one year internship. Or, over here, you can complete your fifth and sixth year
masters program, which also puts on on track to work towards an area of endorsement.

N:

And that’s the pathway you took, right?

A:

Yes, that’s right. So, I’m working towards my Clinical Endorsement.

N:

Okay and an area of endorsement, that’s like a specialty?

A:

Yeah, pretty much. There are a number of areas within psychology that you can complete more
specialised training in, in the form of a masters degree. So, for example, clinical psychology,
organisational psychology and forensic psychology all have masters programs.

N:

Okay and is that where, like, the “clinical” comes in in clinical psychology?
A:

Yes, that’s right. A clinical psychologist is a psychologist who has completed this additional training
followed that by an additional period of supervised practice as well.

N:

So, lots and lots of study?!

A:

Yes! Lots and lots.

N:

So, does that mean that the psychology building is full of psychologists?

A:

Well, you would think so and there are quite a few but you’re more likely to find a psychological
scientists than you are a clinical psychologist.

N:

Oh, and how’s that different? What do they do?

A:

Well, psychological scientists are researchers who apply science to the study of psychology more
broadly, from studies of the brain, behaviour, cognition, emotions, physiology, and even to social
interactions like we’re having right now.

N:

Oh! So someone could be, like, studying us right now?

A:

They could be!

N:

Oh dear, so if that’s what a psychiatrist, sorry, a psychologist does, what does a psychiatrist do?
How are they different?

A:

Well, psychiatrists do also work in mental health, but they’re actually medical doctor who then
specialise in that area. So they are involved in cases where medical training is required. One
difference that people notice is that psychiatrists can prescribe medication but psychologists don’t.

N:

Okay, and so what about a social worker, how are they different?

A:

Social workers also help people manage difficulties and enhance their wellbeing, but for social
workers it’s not restricted to just mental health areas. And as a profession, they tend to work much
more systemically than psychologists, and work at the interface with systems and structures so
things like community services as well. Often this can translate to case management, but sometimes
counselling’s also involved. One big difference is that social workers don’t currently have to register
with AHPRA but they do have the Australian Association of Social Workers, which is a professional
body that only those with accredited training can join, and many roles require this membership as a
selection criteria for hiring.

N:

Okay and, so what about a counsellor, or a therapist, or a psychotherapist? How are they
different?

A:

Well, these terms that refer more to the type of work that people are doing, rather than the
profession or training of the person who’s then doing that work. So, anyone could call themselves a
counsellor, therapist or psychotherapist, they aren’t titles that are legally protected or require
registration to use. You might find some psychologists or social workers working as a counsellor for
example, but you might also find other people without that training working as a counsellor though.
But you could also find other people who don’t have that training working as a counsellor or
therapist.

N:

Okay, so how would you tell the difference?

A:

If you’re unsure, you can always check to see if someone’s registered as a psychologist with AHPRA.
If you google AHPRA and REGISTER OF PRACTITIONERS, you’re able to then check if someone is a
registered psychologist.

N:

Okay, so if I needed to go and see a psychologist is that how I would find someone to help me?

A:

No, definitely not. In general, your GP is a really good first port of call for help. They can help refer
you to the right profession for what you need. Unless of course it’s an emergency, then you should
call 000.

N:

Thank you for coming and explaining all of that. I hope that was helpful.