| | What is a Clinical Psychologist?
The following explanation is quoted from the British Psychological Society (www.bps.org.uk).
Clinical psychology aims to reduce psychological distress and to enhance and promote psychological well-being. A wide range of psychological difficulties may be dealt with, including anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship problems, learning disabilities, child and family problems and serious mental illness.
To assess a client, a clinical psychologist may undertake a clinical assessment using a variety of methods including psychometric tests, interviews and direct observation of behaviour. Assessment may lead to therapy, counselling or advice.
Psychotherapy is the practice of alleviating psychological distress through talking rather than drugs; indeed, it is often referred to as talking therapy. Some people use the terms 'counselling' and 'psychotherapy' interchangeably and there is much overlap between the two.
There are many different types of psychotherapy, and many ways of being trained, but the British Psychological Society believes that psychotherapy is best regarded as a post-qualification for someone who may be already working as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional.
Counselling is a way to explore the thoughts and feelings that may be causing difficulties in your life. There are a number of recognised but distinct methods of counselling, typically humanistic, psychodynamic, cognitive or behavioural.
There are no legal minimum qualifications necessary to practice as a counsellor in the UK.
Life coaching. The term coaching has become a popular name to encompass techniques that help clients make improvement in their life and achieve personal goals. Coaching is not targeted at psychological illness but psychologists can be coaches.
There are no legal minimum qualifications to become a coach.
The British Psychological Society runs a Directory of Chartered Psychologists, which lists those psychologists who have had their qualifications and training accepted as being of sufficient standard.
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