What is a psychologist?

Hi Grandmaster,

Hope I can help provide clarity (also without offending other professionals). I am a counselling psychologist, and a number of years ago I worked as part of the psychology team for a large HSE Primary Care team. This basically meant that if you attended a G.P. and lived in a specific location you could come along for a number of sessions with a member of the psychology team. All clients (medical card holders or not) could avail of a set number of sessions for free, if referred by another member of the team. This service is available in certain parts of the country, but unfortunately not all. Other HSE area's have psychologists they recommend but the price is not always low.

I know a number of other posters have mentioned differences between counsellors/ psychotherapists/ psychologists etc., but just to give you some info on psychologists. Registered psychologists in Ireland have to have at a minimum 7 years experience in psychology (although most have much more) this includes 3 year degree (minimum) 2- 3 Years professional postgrad training (although in reality most people need 3 - 4 years experience to even get on this training) after that then the psychologist is required to work under the supervision of an experienced registered psychologist for 1-2 further years (depending on length of postgrad). All of the aforementioned must be full time. This in one way gives an indication of the level of experience of the individual your GP recommends.

As others have correctly pointed out many psychotherapists have equally long training and we do cover similar areas, so this leads on to another point - registration / accreditation with a professional body. The standards set by the major psychology/ psychotherapy bodies (PSI/BPS - psychology) IACP and others for psychotherapy are very high and ensure the experience of their full members. As previously mentioned anyone with a certificate (sometimes not even this much) in counselling can call themselves a counsellor or psychotherapist and practice, but they will not be a member of a professional body, this is something for anyone interested in availing of helping services to investigate prior to contacting a 'professional'. Unfortunately there are too many woefully unqualified people providing services to vulnerable individuals, who give all qualified helping professionals a bad name.


Most counselling and clinical psychologists are trained in various forms of psychotherapy (they usually specialise in one) and as previously mentioned follow up to date treatment methods and evidence based treatments. In addition the psychologist will also administer a number of psycho-metric screening tests when you attend first. These are used to identify areas of difficulties, the individuals self concept and also the psychologist will often use a test known as an outcome measure. This tool measures certain factors when the client presents initially and measures the change in these over time as a result of therapy. The psychologist can use this to measure improvement in the client, and also to address their own skill set, ie if clients with one particular difficulty are consistently not improving whilst most others are, then the treatment method or plan may need to be re-evaluated.


To conclude: for most difficulties there is very little difference between the services provided by experienced and well trained professionals who are regulated. The psychologist may be able to offer testing and measurement but is unlikely (if they work for HSE) to have the resources available for very lengthy therapy (20 sessions +), this is where a psychotherapist / psychologist in private practice may be of help (This is just from my experience working for a HSE service and may be very different depending on which area you are covered by)

I feel that Johro's response is a good example of the confusion and ignorance around the area of mental distress, and also highlights the need for no specific advice be given on boards. I mean the interchange of the role of the psychiatrist and psychologist, saying not using med's are a bonus and then stating that someone can overcome mental distress or ill health or the need for getting professional help by "getting out and making friends" are ignorant at best and quite dangerous at worst!

I feel that Johro's response is a good example of the confusion and ignorance around the area of mental distress, and also highlights the need for no specific advice be given on boards. I mean the interchange of the role of the psychiatrist and psychologist, saying not using med's are a bonus and then stating that someone can overcome mental distress or ill health or the need for getting professional help by "getting out and making friends" are ignorant at best and quite dangerous at worst![/quote] Definitely. It got the required response though. On the other hand, are you saying that getting where you need to be without med's is NOT a bonus? I'm not suggesting that someone being prescribed medication shouldn't bother to take it, but finding a solution that does not involve medication, or at least not for the long term would be infinitely preferable. Nobody would argue with a short term medical fix such as some sort of relaxant to help the process along, I just think there are an awful lot of people out there on med's for an indefinite period of time without ever being reviewed which can do pretty serious damage to internal organs. By the way, taking a herb like St Johns Wort off Irish shelves is an outrage, the only real reason for it is that it was outselling Prozac by a huge margin. That's the kind of thing I'm talking about. Other than that, I can't argue with what you say. My hope is only that Grandmaster finds a reputable phychologist/counsellor without it costing the earth or ending up over-prescribed.

Johro wrote: »

Oh dear.. So shoot me. Granted, HSE 'approved' pshychologists may have been badly put but the gist of my post was 'your GP should be able to provide you with a list, and could most likely recommend one.' Facetious.. Also, my GP told me some on this list work on a sliding scale. I do recognise the differences between psychologists and counsellors, I was referring on their ability to help, i.e. they both can.

You have clearly read How to win friends and influence people. All HSE staff are paid by the HSE so if you go to a HSE facility there will never be a charge. If you GP gave you a list of people who work on a sliding scale that is either an organisation or individual charging privately.

Look you should know that the small things can be quite significant in this area. Its an area where words do count, and the devil is in the detail. Come on this isn't after hours, we don't recommend shootings;)