Consulting a Psychologist
When to Consult a Psychologist
Psychologists study the way people feel, think, act, and interact. Through a range of strategies and therapies, Psychologists aim to reduce distress and enhance emotional wellbeing. Psychologists are often effective in assisting people to manage their symptoms and modify their behaviour, as they have studied the brain, memory processes, learning processes, and human development. Psychologists can assist people who are having difficulty managing their emotions, thinking, and behaviour, including those with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. They can provide an independent perspective that friends or family members may be unable to give.
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Consulting an APS or AAPi Psychologist
All Psychologists in Australia are legally required to register with the Psychologist Board of Australia (PsyBA) in the same way that medical practitioners must be registered. The Australian Psychological Society (APS) and Australian Association of Psychologists Inc. (AAPi) membership involves meeting standards in addition to this registration.
Consulting an APS or AAPi Psychologist ensures that you receive expert psychological services of the highest standard. APS and AAPi Psychologists follow guidelines about professional conduct, responsibilities and confidentiality such as that are outlined in the APS Code of Ethics.
The Psychologists at Deep Blue Psychology are either registered with APS or AAPi. For more information, please see Meet our Team.
The Difference between Psychologists and Psychiatrists
Psychologists and psychiatrists both work in the area of mental health, and often work together. However, there are some significant differences between the two professions in the following areas:
Psychologists help people who want to find ways to function better in their lives.
Psychiatrists mainly treat people with a mental illness, primarily with medication.
Psychologists study human behaviour in their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees before undertaking supervised experience and gaining registration. They do not have a medical degree, however they study and/ or are supervised in practice for a similar number of years to gain experience in various aspects of psychology.
Psychiatrists have a medical degree, which involves six years of studying general medicine, followed by further study to specialise in psychiatry.
Psychologists cannot prescribe medication. Their therapies are based on changing behaviour without medication. There is a considerable amount of evidence showing how psychological ('talk') or somatic therapies are effective.
Psychiatrists can prescribe medication. Some combine medication with other forms of therapy.