Q on Psychology/Counselling v Clinical

learning2010

Is it just clinical psychologists that are educated to make a diagnosis on why a person is the way they are or does what they do? I am trying to distinguish the difference between counselling and a psychologist...eg. can a counsellor explain why a child is/behaves the way they behave or do you have to be a clinical psychologist for that?
Hopefully this Q makes sense... Thanks

scuzzam

from what i gather clinical psychologists offer therapies such as CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) and psychoanalytic therapy, ie very structured recoginised programmes, whereas councelling psychologists are very much about talking things through, finding the root of issues and coping strategies in yourself. Both CAN deal with the same issues but usually a councelling psychologist helps someone through a traumatic tim, event or memory that is triggering behaviours whereas if you go to the HSE for help with say an addiction, depression, eating disorder or self harm problem (ie mental health issue) it will be a clinical psychologist you see, not a councelling psychologist.
Hope that makes sence / helps in some way.
To sum up, clinical psychologists use structured programmes to help with a diagnosed mental health problem, whereas councellors help with all sorts of issues from relationships to traumatic events through talking therapies.

Odysseus

No really correct Scuzzam, say for the addiction issues it's mostly counsellors and psychotherapists that treat addiction issues, and I don't mean counselling psychologists either. Very few clinical psychologists offer psychoananlytic therapy, though I know a few who do, CBT is the treatment of choice there. It depends on the programme but in a lot of cases the same applies to eating disorders, though some programmes do employ psychologists.

I let the psychologists where elaborate on the distinction between both as they will be able to tease it out better than me.

learning2010

Thanks guys.. but just to elaborate.. if you wanted to get a child assessed for behaviour would you go through HSE/Clinical Psychologist or would a counsellor be also able to deal with these type issues?

sambuka41

It depends on what you think is going on? What is the behaviour? There are different types of psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists who all work in different areas and in different ways.

One of the easiest ways is to go to your GP and have a chat,they will know what steps you need to take next based on presenting behaviour. They will also know about all the local supports in your area.

JuliusCaesar

Go to GP, and please ensure the psychologist is qualified in Child & Adolescent Psychology. Your GP will know.

learning2010

Just a quick one... but is a 6 month plus waiting list the norm for this?