Basically the difference is the individual’s qualifications/training. Most specialists need to maintain ongoing/ yearly accreditation. A good question to ask is what and when was the specialist’s most recent CPD (Continuing Professional Development) training?

Research shows that the therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of successful. This is why at Connecting Mental Health the main focus is not on ‘titles’ of the therapists, but rather the modalities and approaches of the therapists.

Below is a breakdown of the most common types of specialists in alphabetical order:

Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, AMHSW

AMHSWs are university-educated professionals who have completed a bachelor or master’s degree in social work, followed by at least 2 years of supervised clinical experience in a mental health specific social work role, and then completion of a thorough accreditation process through The Australian Association of Social Workers. Only after successful completion of this accreditation process can a social worker be known as an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) and then be able to register for a Medicare Provider Number, enabling them to offer Medicare rebated counselling through a Mental Health Treatment Plan provided by a GP.

Counsellor

A counsellor is a person trained to help you with concerns or problems such as anxiety, depression, grief or relationship difficulties. They aim to help you resolve problems in a positive way by helping you to clarify the issues, explore options, develop strategies and increase self-awareness.

There is currently no law in Australia that requires a person who provides a counselling service to have qualifications and/or experience. This is why it’s important to ask, towards all therapists, what their qualifications, experience and recent training is to get a better sense of their skills and resources.

Mental Health Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists specialising in mental health work with individuals to support them to identify and successfully engage in the everyday activities they find meaningful. They draw on, and are trained in, occupational therapy specific tools and approaches as well as structured psychological techniques. Occupational therapists bring a unique occupational focus, addressing the activities and occupations that are important and meaningful to a person’s daily life.

Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed specialised training in psychiatry, which is how to diagnose, treat and prevent mental, emotional and behavioural disorders.

They work in different ways and can use a combination of treatments, including counselling, psychotherapy and medication such as antidepressants. They can admit people to hospital if needed.

You will probably need to see a psychiatrist if you have a severe mental health condition such as:

• Severe depression
• Anxiety disorders, like panic attacks and phobias
• Complex conditions, like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
• Eating disorders, like anorexia and bulimia
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Psychiatrists and paediatricians are the only specialists that can prescribe schedule 8 medications.

Psychologist

When you seek support from a psychologist, you might see a psychologist with general registration, or one who also has a specific ‘area of practice endorsement’, such as clinical psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology or sport and exercise psychology.

The two most common psychologists within the therapy space are:

Registered Psychologist

A registered psychologist is somebody who has completed a four-year university degree and has obtained either a post-graduate university degree or completed an equivalent of two years of supervised practical training to obtain registration as a psychologist.

Clinical Psychologist

A clinical psychologist has completed a six-year university degree and undertaken an equivalent of two years of supervised practical training.