How to know if Clinical Psychology in Newcastle is right for you
Whether this is your first time seeking professional support or seeing a Clinical Psychologist in Newcastle, or you are reviewing the services available, it is helpful to know what sort of professionals can best assist you to address mental health difficulties. Here at ELD Psychology we provide clinical psychology services. In this article, we outline the different types of mental health services you may come across.
What are the different types of mental health services?
Common mental health services include:
counselling
psychiatry
psychology
All of these psychological services can provide you with a level of support for your wellbeing. However, training, experience and expertise are all factors which may determine the type of service that is best for you.
What is counselling?
Counsellors use talk-based therapy to assist their clients to find solutions for issues which may be causing stress or emotional pain. A counsellor will help to develop self-understanding and come up with coping strategies. Counsellors may also work as a case manager, and may be able to assist with practical tasks, such as connecting their clients with other services including housing providers and job agencies. In Australia, counsellors are not required to hold a particular accreditation or qualification, so it’s important you do your research about their experience and expertise to ensure you are getting support that suits your needs.
Counselling may be a good option for people who would like to talk through their worries and stressors with an objective third party who can guide them to finding solutions.
What is psychiatry?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed specialised training in psychiatry. They know how to expertly use a combination of treatments such as counselling, psychotherapy and medication to manage mental disorders. In Australia, psychiatrists must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and many are also registered with the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).
Psychiatry is most appropriate for people who suffer from a severe mental, emotional or behavioural condition.
What is psychology?
Psychologists are specially-trained health professionals who are experts in the way people behave. They know a range of evidence-based approaches that can be used to assist clients in addressing their mental health difficulties. Cognitive behavioural therapy and Acceptance and commitment therapy are examples of methods that psychologists may use to assist their clients. Similarly to psychiatrists, psychologists must be registered with AHPRA to practise.
Therapy work is likely to be useful for people who are experiencing anxiety, depression, stressful life events or any other mental health difficulty.
What is the difference between psychologists and a clinical psychologist?
Psychologists with general registration have completed four years of university training, and either two years of supervised training, or one year of Masters in Professional Psychology followed by a one-year internship. Over 60% of psychologists in Australia hold general registration. Through continued professional development and training, psychologists continue to build on their expertise and knowledge base.
Clinical psychologists complete the same foundational training as psychologists with general registration, and an additional two years of postgraduate study in Clinical Psychology – generally a master’s degree. Clinical psychologists have a more specific scope of practice and have extensive training in identifying, diagnosing and treating mental illness.
Neither psychologists nor clinical psychologists can prescribe medication – if required, this is done by either a medical doctor or psychiatrist.
What does ELD Psychology provide?
The psychologists on our team are registered clinical psychologists. Our team is able to assess and diagnose mental illness, which helps them formulate the best treatment approach to meet the needs of individual people and address psychological problems. Our team draws on their scientific backgrounds to ensure that treatments are effective and match their clients’ wants and needs.
Our support is best suited to you if you are experiencing:
worry and anxiety
low mood and depression
stress
perfectionism
eating disorders
trauma
relationship issues.
Our area of service and how to contact us
Our team provides clinical psychology services to people over the age of 18 in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter area. Our office is located in Newcastle West.
Visit our Contact us page for more information about how to get in touch.