Should I see a Counsellor or Psychologist?
This is a common question clients ask - should I see a Psychologist or a Counsellor?
There is no right or wrong answer - it depends on your needs, preferences and often some practicalities such a wait times and rebates. One is not necessarily superior to the other, nor is counselling a lesser quality service than psychology.
What’s the difference?
A Psychologist is a legally protected title in Australia, regulated by AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) via the Psychology Board of Australia. Psychologists have undertaken six years of tertiary study and supervised practice.
Psychologists formally assess and diagnose mental health disorders. Some complex mental health disorders may be better suited to the care of a psychologist and a counsellor can refer you if needed via your GP.
Counsellor qualifications can vary but many also have tertiary qualifications (Degree or Masters) and have undertaken a supervised practice component. The title of Counsellor is not a legally protected title in Australia and at present is not formally regulated although this is in the process of changing. Counsellors are registered through professional bodies such as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) or Christian Counsellors Association of Australia (CCAA) and are required to participate in regular Professional Supervision and Professional Development.
Counsellors do not formally assess or diagnose mental health conditions but work with you across a range of issues to bring understanding and clarity and provide therapeutic interventions that teach tools and strategies to help you work toward your goals.
Points of Difference
Cost
Psychology sessions (up to 10 per calendar year) are covered by Medicare with a GP referral and a Mental Health Care Plan although a gap payment is often required.
Counselling is not covered by Medicare, and is usually privately funded by the client. Some counsellors provide Private health rebates or NDIS sessions for plan-managed or self-managed clients who have funding allocated in their plan for counselling.
You may find some counsellors are priced around the same as a psychology gap fee. Do your homework on your preferred options to see what is best for you.
Low cost counselling can be available through community counselling centres.
Wait Times
Wait times for a psychologist can be lengthy meaning access to care when you need it is not always available. Counsellors often have much shorter wait times with some even having immediate availablity. Counselling is a valid alternative for many mental health issues and a good counsellor will always refer you on to a psychologist if required.
Approach
Pyschology often takes a structured approach and uses evidenced based interventions that have been proven to work effectively in a time-limited way. Cognitive Behavoural Therapy (CBT) is a commonly used approach, yielding measurable change within your allocated number of sessions.
Pyschologists also work within the medical model of assessment and diagnosis, which is beneficial if you need a diagnosis to be able to acess further services such as NDIS.
Counselling is often less structured and is not limited to a particular number of sessions. It is primarily talk-based therapy which will provides a more conversational environment and the time and space for you to share and process your thoughts and emotions. Counsellors employ a range of therapeutic tools and strategies to help you achieve your therapeutic goals. Counselling can be short, medium or long-term and cover a range a issues. Many counsellors will specialise in areas such as grief and loss, youth and children, relationship and family therapy. Others will be more generalists that cover a range of concerns.
Counsellors do not diagnose mental health conditions but can help with coping strategies to manage them.
What to look for in a Counsellor?
Look for a counsellor that is registered with one of the professional bodies (ACA, PACFA, CCAA). This ensures that they meet industry standards for training, qualifications and ongoing professional practice.
Look for a counsellor that works within your area of need. Specialty areas include but are not limited to, Children and Adolescents, Addictions, Eating Disorders, Trauma, Domestic Violence and Relationships.
Do you want a male or female counsellor? Faith-based support? In person or Online/Telehealth?
Does your counsellor work with your particular need?
The most important factor is the human connection - Is your counsellor the right fit for you? Do they create a space where you feel safe? Can you connect with them in a way that allows therapeutic change to take place?
Calling for a chat can help answer some of these questions and remember, if it doesn’t feel right at the first session, it is fine not to continue, counsellors will expect this. Not every counsellor is the same and not everyone will be right for you - but don’t let it stop you from continuing to reach out for support.
If faith is important to you
With approximately 1 in 5 churchgoers actively seeking professional support for mental health issues, many prefer to see a professional that shares their Christian faith. This brings safety for the client, with an expectation that their faith and worldview will be understood and respected and that they will have the freedom to bring it into session and that any therapeutic work done will not oppose or challenge their beliefs. Some desire an even more integrated approach between spiritually and therapy and will look specifically for Christian counselling which is a speciality in itself, skillfully integrating both therapeutic and theological approaches to change, healing and growth.
It is a matter of professional ethics to respect diversity in our clients, including their spiritual beliefs. This means that there should be no dismissal, judgment or predujice coming from the counsellor/psychologist towards a Christian client. Neither should the professionals own personal beliefs be imposed upon the client. Any professional that is operating ethically should make space for your spiritual beliefs and respect them.
This is quite different however, to knowing how to effectively work with your faith and integrate it into your therapeutic journey, which comes from a foundation of shared understanding. This is where Christian counselling comes in.
If your faith is important to you and you desire for it to be integrated in a meaningful way into your therapy sessions, then you will probably seek out a Christian Psychologist or a Christian Counsellor. Many find it difficult to source Christian Psychologists because they don’t tend to advertise themselves as such (A quick Google search of Christian Psychologists in Adelaide came up with mostly Christian counsellors). Looking for psychologists that work out of faith-based centres or relying on word of mouth recommendations is often required.
This is where a Christian counsellor may meet your needs more fully and may be a consideration when making your decision on where to seek support.
Summary
There is no right or wrong answer, it is mainly personal choice driven by your needs.
About me: I am a Christian counsellor based in Adelaide. I am tertiary qualified, ACA registered and work with women (18+) across a range of concerns. Whilst I am a generalist counsellor, I have areas of speciality in Christian Counselling and post Domestic Violence recovery and support.
Areas I work with include grief and loss, anxiety, depression, unhelpful thought patterns, trauma recovery and adjusting to life transitions.
I offer both in-person appointments and online/Telehealth sessions.
If you think I might be a good fit for you I would love to hear from you and would count it a privilege to work with you. You can book a session using the link below.
Not sure and want to more? Click to read more about how Two Sparrows Counselling can help you.
References:
(https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/counsellors-and-counselling)