Many people are unsure about what a psychologist does and how their role differs from other mental health professionals. A psychologist is a university trained professional who is registered with a federal regulatory body (AHPRA). They usually assist people to change unhelpful thoughts, emotions or behaviours. This may include helping people to manage or recover from mental health disorders. While psychologists provide counselling and psychotherapy, their training differs from counsellors and psychotherapists, in that they have a greater emphasis on evidence based interventions. Psychologists are not medically trained in the way that GP’s or psychiatrists are and therefore they do not have authority to prescribe medications.
