Differences Between Psychotherapists & Psychologists
Differences Between Psychotherapists & Psychologists
What are the Differences Between Psychotherapists & Psychologists? Psychology is a broad field that encompasses many areas of study. One question many students have when starting their psychology education is: What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychotherapist? The two fields are similar in that they deal with the human mind, but they have some key differences.
To answer this question, Energetics Institute has put together this article highlighting the differences between psychologists and psychotherapists. We’ll talk about the differences in education and practice between these two highly important fields.
Psychotherapist vs. Psychologist
Both psychologists and psychotherapists are mental health professionals. The key difference is the emphasis of their studies.
Psychologists
Psychologists, in short, study how the human mind works. Things like behaviour, motivation, emotion, memory and cognition are all types of phenomena that psychologist’s study. More specifically, psychologists study how human behaviour is shaped by external and internal factors.
Importantly, most psychologists study the ‘normal’ human mind — that is, they want to understand how thought and cognition, in general, work. To that extent, many psychologists pursue research-oriented careers at universities. For example, a psychologist might study how humans form and store memories.
Psychologists can work solely in academic research, or they can also provide mental health counselling. Most practicing psychologists have at least some experiences administering therapy to patients.
Psychotherapists
A psychotherapist, in contrast, is a specific type of professional that focuses on diagnosing and treating mental or emotional problems. Psychotherapists typically have an advanced degree in psychology or a related field and go on to complete specialized psychotherapist training. The first psychotherapist was Sigmund Freud, the founder of classical psychoanalysis.
Psychotherapists specialize in helping patients manage emotional problems. For example, a psychotherapist may help patients overcome particularly stressful periods in their lives or help someone manage their grief after losing a loved one. Many psychotherapists work as psychiatrists, social workers, or behavioural therapists.
‘Psychotherapist’ is an umbrella term, and people from different fields can work as psychotherapists. Some therapists go to medical school for psychiatry and have an MD, while others have other kinds of training. Most psychotherapists work one-on-one with patients, though some specialize in group or couples therapy.
Psychotherapists typically engage in talk therapy with patients. Psychotherapists use several treatment modalities, including but not limited to:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).
- Family counselling or couples therapy.
- Hypno-psychotherapy.
- Psychoanalytic therapy.
- Psychodynamic therapy.
The main goal of psychotherapy is to address emotional or mental problems that affect a patient’s well-being. Depending on the specific nature of the problem, therapists use different methods. For instance, a psychotherapist may use CBT to help patients manage anxiety/depression, while another may use hypno-psychotherapy to manage a person’s phobias or substance abuse problems.
Differences Between Psychologists and Psychotherapists
Both psychologists and psychotherapists are mental health professionals, and many from both groups practice talk therapy with patients. The main differences between the two are their areas of focus, education, licensing credentials, and job opportunities.
Area of Focus
Psychotherapists treat a wide range of conditions and typically have a specialization in a particular treatment modality, such as CBT or psychodynamic therapy. Psychotherapy as a field is not so much concerned with creating a general model of the human mind but finding targeted interventions to manage negative mental states.
Psychologists instead focus on studying various cognitive capacities. Many psychologists perform research and experiments to understand how the mind works. Therefore, the term ‘psychologist’ is a bit vague, and most psychologists have a particular specialization (e.g., psychopathology, developmental psychology, etc.)
Some psychologists take their scientific approach and integrate it into psychotherapeutic practice. Psychologists also work to understand and treat learning or developmental disabilities.
Education
Psychotherapy is primarily a graduate-level discipline, and many psychotherapists do not have a college background in psychology, specifically.
After graduate school, psychotherapists typically complete internships and practical training. Most states have some kind of licensing requirement to practice psychotherapy, and most psychotherapists hold master’s degrees.
A psychologist’s education instead focuses on research. Practising psychologists usually have a doctorate degree in psychology and have experience working in labs and designing/performing experiments. Many psychologists complete some kind of clinical therapy unit while in school, though their education is mostly aimed at academics.
Licensing Credentials
Psychologists do not need a license or certification to perform academic research, but they do typically require a license to practise in a clinical setting. Most academic psychologists have some kind of clinical license for practice, even if most of their work is research-oriented.
Psychotherapists typically require some kind of license to practise, though some states allow unlicensed therapists or counsellors to administer certain treatments. States may also have licensing regulations surrounding who can advertise themselves as a psychotherapist.
Generally speaking, neither psychologists nor psychotherapists have a license to prescribe medication. In order to prescribe medicine, one must study psychiatry in medical school and receive a doctor of medicine (MD).
Job Opportunities
Demand for psychotherapists and psychologists depends heavily on their specific areas of focus and practice. Like most academic positions, academic psychology is a fiercely competitive field with relatively few opportunities relative to qualified individuals. However, positions for clinical psychologists in nonacademic fields are expected to increase by 20% over the next 10 years.
Conversely, experts also predict that demand for psychotherapists will grow by 20% over the next 10 years — significantly higher than the national average. Reasons for this high career growth rate include public engagement in mental health, lower education and licensing requirements and the diverse nature of psychotherapeutic practice.
Should I See a Psychologist or a Psychotherapist?
The labels ‘psychologist’ and ‘psychotherapist’ are a bit vague and share a substantial amount of overlap. So, the question of whether you should see a psychologist, or a psychotherapist depends on your specific needs.
One consideration is the focus of the treatment. Psychologists tend to have strong research backgrounds and may incorporate evidence-based research into their practices. Psychotherapists, in contrast, may be more informed by theoretical and practical considerations. Psychotherapists may also focus on issues stemming from systemic causes, such as family, school and relationships.
Second, psychotherapists tend to focus more on ‘big picture’ holistic aspects of your mental health, and psychologists focus on more specific mental health issues. A psychotherapist might help you with managing your emotions and feelings, while a psychologist might work to manage a specific learning or developmental disability.
So, one major consideration is what issues you are having. If you are looking for general life advice or want a way to manage stress and negative emotions, then a psychotherapist might be a good fit. If you think you might have a mental health disorder or want therapy based on empirical research, then a psychologist might be the right decision.
Ultimately, both psychologists and psychotherapists can help you manage your mental health. The choice between the two depends on your needs and wants. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when looking for a mental health professional:
- Consider your therapy goals. Do you want to manage your emotions more constructively, or do you need treatment options for depression? Psychological therapy is much more effective when therapists’ and patients’ goals are aligned.
- Ask plenty of questions when searching. Questions about specialization, education, experience and available treatments are all important considerations.
- Ask about costs. The Australian government will partially cover costs for seeing a mental health professional, and some therapists accept supplemental insurance plans.
- Don’t be afraid to try multiple therapists. It often takes a few tries before patients find a mental health professional that ‘clicks’. Finding a therapist with similar experiences can be helpful for many people.
- Get a referral from a friend. Over 1 million people in Australia regularly see a therapist, so odds are you know someone who does. Referrals are a good way to judge quality, but different people need different therapists.
- Make sure you understand licensing requirements for your state. Most Australian states do not regulate the use of the term ‘psychotherapist’, but professionals typically require certification to treat specific conditions.
Find a Psychotherapist Near You
Energetics Institute offers a wide range of psychotherapy services for individuals and groups. As mental health professionals, we aim to help people deal with their psychological problems in a healthy and practical way.
If you want to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment, contact us online or give us a call at 0414 897024 today!