Who is the right mental health expert for you?
The role of Counselors, Psychologists, and Psychiatrists explained
When it comes to mental health related issues, it can be difficult to understand the different types of professional help available today and the role they play. The terms like counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists are used interchangeably for anyone providing mental health service. Though it is true that these 3 are indeed mental health professionals but the role they play, conditions they help resolve and the stage they come in a person’s mental health journey are completely different.
Understanding the differences between these three types of professionals can help you make an informed decision when seeking help for yourself or a loved one.
Counselors or counseling psychologists
They are typically the first point of contact for anyone seeking mental health support. Counselors help people with their emotional and mental well-being with their kind and listening ear, gentle guidance and practical advice. They provide counseling to help individuals, couples, families, and groups work through a wide range of emotional, mental, and behavioral issues.
Counselors may also help with problem-solving and provide support and guidance and are trained to work with a wide range of mild day-to-day mental and emotional issues, including relationship problems, stress and anxiety. They may also specialize in specific areas such as career counseling. Counselors typically have a master's degree (typically M.A. or MSc.) in counseling psychology or a related field.
Clinical Psychologists
Clinical Psychologists have a master's or doctoral degree (M.Phil, Psy.D etc.) or a postgraduate diploma (PDCP) in clinical psychology and are trained to understand the human mind and behavior. They provide psychotherapy using their knowledge to help individuals with mental health concerns especially those having clinical disorders. They may also specialize in specific therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy, or neuro-psychology etc.
Clinical Psychologists (also rehabilitation psychologists) in India are required to be licensed with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). This license indicates that they can conduct psychological evaluations and assessments for detecting mental health disorders like bipolar disorder, OCD, ADHD, schizophrenia etc.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (with an MBBS and MD Psychiatry degree) who specialize in the treatment of mental illnesses typically severe mental health disorders. They may provide therapy, prescribe medication (they are the only ones who can prescribe medicines!), and conduct physical exams and lab tests to help diagnose severe mental health conditions and disorders.
Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental health conditions using both therapy and medication. They may also conduct psychological evaluations and work with other mental health professionals to develop treatment plans.They typically work in hospitals, clinics, or private practices, and they may also collaborate with other mental health professionals (like counselors and clinical psychologists) to provide comprehensive care.
These three set of professionals work together (ideally!) to help people with their own unique skills and expertise.
The counselor provides emotional support and practical advice, the psychologist offers deep insight and cutting-edge therapy, and the Psychiatrist provides medical treatment and medication management. Together, they help people navigate the complexities of the mind and find peace and happiness.
Summary
It is important to note that in mental health there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Different people have different needs, and the role of a counselor, a psychologist and a psychiatrist are different, but they all play an important role in helping people with their mental health.
Counselors tend to focus on providing support & therapy, while psychologists provide psychotherapy and evaluations, and psychiatrists provide therapy, evaluations, and medication management.
Counselors are generally the first point of contact for individuals seeking mental health support, psychologists have additional training and expertise in specific areas of mental health and psychiatrists have medical training and can prescribe medication, and perform complex procedures such as ECT.
It's important to keep in mind that different types of professionals may be more appropriate for different needs and it's good to seek professional guidance and recommendations from a doctor or a mental health professional to determine the best fit for you or your loved one.