Who Do I Approach For Help? - The Different Professions in the Mental Health Field

Psychology is a vast field, and mental health is only one of the many integral parts of it. Psychology studies many fundamental building blocks of people that makes them both unique and yet similar to others. This field has continued a long journey (and will do so perpetually as is the nature of science) from stemming from philosophy, being impacted by the theories of physiology to budding into an entirely different subject.

Most people think of Psychology and immediately connect it to mental health- after all, understanding about behaviour, personality, the impact of society on our thoughts and emotions can all play a role in our health (specifically mental health). This has undeniably contributed to the growth of this field and given rise to professionals who all aim to understand and people seeking to understand themselves better or receive different interventions ranging from therapy to medications.

Here are a few prominent specialisations and professions in mental healthcare.

• What Do Counselling Psychologists Do?
• What Do Clinical Psychologists Do?
• What Do Psychiatrists Do?
• What Do Psychiatric Social Workers Do?
• References
• Resources

What Do Counselling Psychologists Do?

Counselling Psychology focuses on using culturally sensitive practices to help people improve their quality of life and reduce maladaptive behaviours that could in turn reduce emotional distress. Counselling Psychologists lay emphasis on the developmental, social, cultural and other health contexts in which people live to understand mental health concerns we experience. They focus on advocacy, psychoeducation and creating awareness with an aim to improve quality of life. Counselling Psychologists work in diverse set-ups- as freelancers, in hospitals under the supervision of Clinical Psychologists, in companies, schools and colleges.

Counselling Psychologists can understand different diagnoses and assess different levels of distress a person may experience but they do not provide therapy for specific clinical concerns or provide official diagnoses for them.

Some of the concerns they do work through are- Self-understanding, Lifestyle related stress or anxiety. Emotional concerns that do not qualify as a part of a diagnosis, Marriage or relationship concern, career related concern, self-improvement, skills training, issues with family dynamics, communication issues etc.

What Do Clinical Psychologists Do?

Clinical Psychology while being similar to Counselling Psychology – in that, this field also focuses on applying the theories of Psychology in a therapeutic set up to help people understand their mental health- is different in other ways. Clinical Psychologists focus a lot more on Clinical assessments, provide help to people experiencing psychological issues that could be clinically diagnosed, they create treatment plan and prevention plans for people in inpatient and outpatient units, in hospitals, psychological clinics and emergency rooms.

Clinical Psychologists work as trainers, and supervisors to counselling psychologists and interns and can give additional insights into psychological problems experienced by people. Clinical Psychologists can provide clinical diagnosis and provide therapy for them; additionally, many Clinical Psychologists collaborate with Psychiatrists to provide therapy for patients who might be prescribed medications.

What Do Psychiatrists Do?

Psychiatrists are medical professionals who specialise in understanding and treating different Psychological Disorders. Unlike, Counselling and Clinical Psychologists, the former are trained to diagnose and treat patients through medications. While some Psychiatrists also receive some training to provide therapy, it is not the primary part of their training. Psychiatrists (especially today) work in collaboration with Psychologists to create a more holistic treatment plan for people.

What Do Psychiatric Social Workers Do?

Psychiatric Social Work is a specialised branch of social work where the professionals work closely with people experiencing complex or severe mental health disorders, providing therapy if necessary, coordinating with other professionals (medical and mental healthcare professionals) as care managers and helping people access additional resources that would benefit them.

Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Social Workers are all important to navigate the ever-growing world of understanding mental health. There are some overlaps between these professions but yet they each help to address different needs that a person may experience when distressed.

References

https://ijip.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/18.01.080.20160304.pdf

https://cpa.ca/sections/counsellingpsychology/counsellingdefinition/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324182518_INTRODUCTION_TO_CLINICAL_PSYCHOLOGY

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/medicines-and-psychiatry/psychiatry/

https://mis.alagappauniversity.ac.in/siteAdmin/dde-admin/uploads/4/PG_M.S.W._Social%20Work_34943B%20Psychiatric%20Social%20Work.pdf

Resources

NAMI - Highlights each professional's qualifications, training, and the types of services they provide.

Healthline - Includes tips on how to choose the right professional for specific mental health needs.

Mental Health America - Outlines various mental health professions, focusing on the services provided, credentials needed, and potential settings where each professional type might work.