What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

A psychiatrist is a medically trained doctor who specialises in mental health and is qualified to prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists conduct therapy, but in the main, they treat mental illness with medication. We do not have psychiatrists in PsychologyOnline, only psychologists and psychotherapists, and we do not prescribe medication. A Chartered Psychologist will have had at least eight years training, examinations and experience. Psychologists work one-to-one with the client, looking into the causes and realities of problems, and focussing on the mental, emotional and physiological processes that affect human behaviour and functioning. The benefits of psychology and psychotherapy develop from the therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist during a course of sessions.

What is a psychotherapist?

A psychotherapist will have had at least four years' specialist training in a particular therapeutic treatment model, leading to accreditation with The United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapists (UKCP). All our psychotherapists have also had extensive practical experience since accreditation, predominantly in the NHS. Psychotherapists also work one-to-one with the client, exploring difficult emotions and experiences and helping the client gain more capacity for choice, greater autonomy and self-determination. There are many overlaps with psychology. Our pychologists and psychotherapists are also called 'therapists' and 'practitioners' on this website. This is mainly for simplicity.

In layman's terms, how does therapy help?

Psychologists listen to what is worrying, frightening or depressing you. They ask about previous and current aspects of your life. The dialog is often illuminating and may enable you to see the problem in a different way. Perhaps what you are doing (or not doing) is making things worse. Often people feel trapped or 'stuck', but often there are alternatives. These can be investigated and a better way forward can be considered. Between sessions you may be asked to do ‘homework’ which usually means thinking about things suggested by your therapist, and making notes. These are very helpful to keep focussed and would be discussed at your next session. The benefit of therapy comes from your work with the therapist, exploring and understanding the causes of the problem and then deciding, with professional help, how to improve the situation. After only a few sessions many people say they wish they had come years before. The number of sessions which might be appropriate would be discussed with your therapist following a clinical assessment. However, therapy may not be the best way for you, in which case we would suggest another route.

How confidential are the sessions that I have with the therapist?

Everything you tell us, including your name, address and GP, and everything that you discuss with your therapist, is totally confidential unless at any time your therapist feels that you are in danger of harming yourself or anyone else. In the unlikely event of this happening, your therapist would discuss it with you, but we do all have a professional duty to inform your GP. Apart from any requirements under English law, there are no other circumstances in which confidentiality would be broken. Please see more about this and our Security measures here.