Your Most Common Therapy Questions, Answered

Picture yourself at a Pub Quiz or Trivia Night. You’re in a tie to win. The last question goes “What’s the difference between a psychologist, psychotherapist and psychiatrist?” Your mind is boggled. They all start with ‘Psych’ and end with ‘ist’. And that’s all you can say. Welcome to the world of almost everyone. The common What is Therapy questions baffle too many. Here’s the technicalities of therapy, simplified and illustrated with an infographic.

#1: “Psychologist vs psychotherapist vs psychiatrist?”

There are 2 types of therapy. Medication is drug therapy, psychotherapy is talking therapy.

A psychotherapist is any professional trained to do talking therapy— psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors and other trained mental health professionals.

Now, the subtler differences. A psychologist (that’s me!) is also trained in research and administering psychological tests. Like IQ, memory and self-esteem tests. A little like those that you do online to discover your personality. Except that these tests are rigorously developed, and you’re tested in quiet rooms with certain protocol. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor qualified in psychiatry, and who can prescribe medicine. And here’s where it gets confusing. Some psychotherapists professionals may have non-psychology or non-psychiatry training. Meaning, they specialise in a certain type of talk therapy.

Bottomline: Check their credentials. Ask when in doubt.

#2: “What’s the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?”

Counselling focuses on a specific problem and how to address it, focusing less on the past. Psychotherapy unearths your repeating patterns- experiences, feelings, thoughts- and why you are the way you are. Because clarifying your past helps you move forward.

#3: “Are ‘psychological difficulties’ ‘mental health difficulties’?”

Yes. Psychological difficulties can include stress, emotional and relationship difficulties, or troublesome habits. In other words, something that you’re struggling with.

#4: “How many people are there in a session?”

If it’s an individual session, it’s (often) you and your therapist. Couples can go for couples therapy, and family members for family therapy. Or, you can join group therapy.

#5: “Clinical, counselling, occupational, cognitive psychologists. . just what’s going on?”

Your life is divided into different parts, so is psychology.

There are research and practitioner psychologists. The first designs and conducts research. In fields like social psychology, cognition, cultural psychology, et cetera. The second applies knowledge (and may conduct research).

Practitioners are non-psychotherapists and psychotherapists. The first work in the criminal justice system (forensic and criminal psychologists), workplace (industrial, occupational and organisational psychologists), with students (educational psychologists), et cetera. Psychotherapists may be clinical or counselling psychologists. Traditionally, clinical psychologists dealt with more severe psychological difficulties than counselling psychologists, although the line is increasingly blurred today.

#6: “What are the different credentials for my psychotherapist?”

(Note: This only applies to the UK)

#Psychologists
1. Clinical Psychologists: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)
2. Counselling Psychologists: Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (DCoP)
Both must be registered with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC). Some may be registered with the British Psychological Society (BPS) as a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol).

#Psychiatrists
The MBBS title refers to your psychiatrist’s Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. He/she may have MRCPsych or FRCPsych, showing membership or fellowship respectively with the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

#Non-psychologist/psychiatrist psychotherapists
There is no standard accreditation for psychotherapists who are not psychologists or psychiatrists. They must be registered with the HCPC to practise. Professional organisations include the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC).

#7: “There are so many types of therapies. Which one works?”

This is one of the most common therapy questions. The sheer volume can feel overwhelming. Generally, the type of therapy you’ll receive depends on your therapist’s orientation. Or, the ethos of the clinic. Some therapists adhere to one style, others integrate. I’m a big fan of integrating, because therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.

But really, it isn’t just about therapy type. Therapy type only accounts for 15% of your success. Evidence? Lambert’s (1992) classic paper states that 40% of success rests on you and your support system. Like your personality, readiness for change, social support and your environment. The relationship between your therapist and you- things like warmth and encouraging you to take risks- accounts for 30% of success. 15% has to do with your levels of hope and belief that therapy will work.