What is the difference between psychotherapy, psychology and psychiatry?
• All 3 work with people who have emotional or mental difficulties • All 3 work both in the private sector and in the NHS • All 3 have had extensive training, and should be members of the relevant professional body A Psychologist is a general term for someone who has studied psychology, usually to degree level or beyond. Psychologists have observed and measured human behaviour scientifically and have produced models and therapies based on this knowledge. There are a number of different branches of psychology including Occupational Psychology, Forensic (Criminal) Psychology, and Educational Psychology, amongst others. A Clinical Psychologist or a Counselling Psychologist will have done further training (often to a doctorate level) to be able to administer psychological tests (personality tests, intelligence tests, etc.) and to be able to treat people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. For further information, go to the British Psychological Society web site. (www.bps.org.uk) A
