Mental health is a complex and multifaceted field, requiring the expertise of various professionals to diagnose, treat, and manage conditions such as anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses.

When seeking help, many people are unsure whether they should see a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. While both play critical roles in mental health care, their qualifications, treatment approaches, and areas of expertise differ.

In this blog, we will explore these differences and provide clarity on when to seek help from either a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist.

Qualifications and Training

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness. After completing a medical degree (which typically takes around 5 to 6 years in Australia), they undergo additional training in general medicine and then specialise in psychiatry. This involves a minimum of 5 years of specialist postgraduate training under the supervision of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).

Due to their medical training, psychiatrists are licensed to prescribe medication and are well-versed in how mental health conditions relate to physical health. Their medical background also enables them to rule out any physical causes of mental health symptoms, such as hormonal imbalances or neurological conditions, before diagnosing a mental health disorder.

Clinical Psychologists

Clinical psychologists, on the other hand, are trained specifically in psychological theory, assessment, and therapy.  In Australia, becoming a clinical psychologist typically involves completing an undergraduate degree in psychology (3 years), followed by an honours year and then a postgraduate clinical psychology program (a master's or doctorate).

This is followed by supervised practice, which is regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and endorsed by the Psychology Board of Australia.

While clinical psychologists are highly skilled in assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health disorders, they do not have medical training and, therefore, cannot prescribe medication. Their focus is on psychological therapies and behavioural interventions.

ELD Psychology in Newcastle is a team of Clinical Psychologists who have completed their master’s degree in clinical psychology and their supervised practice. They have experience in evidence-based psychological therapies for a range of mental health disorders. 

Common Treatment Approaches

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are trained to take a medical approach to mental health care. They often assess a patient’s mental health by looking at biological, psychological, and social factors. As medical doctors, their method of treatment may involve prescribing medication to manage or alleviate symptoms of mental health disorders.

For example, they might prescribe antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilisers depending on the condition being treated. In addition to medication, psychiatrists may also provide psychotherapy, similar to a clinical psychologist.

Clinical Psychologists

Clinical psychologists primarily use evidence-based psychological therapies to help individuals manage their mental health issues. These therapies are tailored to each individual’s unique needs and may involve various techniques, such as cognitive restructuring, mindfulness, exposure therapy, or behaviour modification.

Clinical psychologists may also conduct assessments to diagnose mental health conditions and to evaluate cognitive functioning, personality traits, and emotional functioning.

They do not prescribe medication but may work alongside psychiatrists or GPs if medication is required as part of the treatment plan. Clinical psychologists work with a wide range of mental health conditions, such as anxiety, PTSD and eating disorders, often using psychotherapeutic techniques that aim to improve long-term mental well-being.

Types of Psychological Therapy

Clinical psychologists are trained to deliver evidence-based psychological therapies, often tailoring the approach to the specific needs of the patient. While psychiatrists are usually trained in the medical model of treatment, they may also incorporate certain psychological therapies into their practice.

The most common types of therapies include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This is a widely used therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours. Some psychiatrists and clinical psychologists may integrate this into their treatment plan, especially for conditions like anxiety and depression.

• Psychodynamic Therapy: This therapy is focused on exploring unconscious thoughts and emotions that might be contributing to a person's psychological distress. Some psychiatrists and clinical psychologists use psychodynamic approaches to help individuals explore deep-rooted conflicts and emotional difficulties.

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Some psychiatrists and clinical psychologists are trained in DBT. DBT is a therapy that focuses on helping individuals manage intense emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms. It combines strategies like mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT helps individuals accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty about them. It encourages them to commit to making positive behavioural changes.

• Mindfulness-Based Therapy: This type of therapy involves teaching individuals to focus on the present moment and develop awareness of their thoughts and feelings without judgment. It's often used to help manage stress, anxiety, and depression.

• Schema Therapy: This is an integrative approach that combines CBT, attachment theory, and psychodynamic approaches to treat long-term patterns of negative behaviour and thinking.

Our team of clinical psychologists at ELD Psychology in Newcastle are training in delivering evidence-based treatments to individuals facing psychological difficulties.

Our team of psychologists in Newcastle have experience treating a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, OCD, perfectionism, PTSD and trauma, eating disorders and more. 

How to Know Whether to See a Clinical Psychologist or a Psychiatrist

Determining whether to see a psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist often depends on the nature and severity of your mental health condition. A good place to start when trying to determine the best treatment approach for you is to see your GP. Your GP can assess your concerns and refer you to the appropriate support. 

Seeing a psychiatrist might be considered:

• To assess your current difficulties and determine if medication is an appropriate treatment option.

• You have already been prescribed medication for a mental health condition and need a review or ongoing management.

• You have mental health needs that may involve both medical and psychological interventions.

Seeing a clinical psychologist may be considered:

• To assess your current difficulties and apply evidence-based, ongoing psychological therapy tailored to individual needs. 

• You want to explore evidence-based psychological therapies like CBT, ACT, or mindfulness.

In some cases, it may be appropriate to engage with both a psychiatrist and clinical psychologists as part of a collaborative care plan.

Collaborative Care

In many cases, mental health care is best provided through a collaborative approach, where both psychiatrists and clinical psychologists work together to ensure comprehensive care. 

Collaborative care may involve:

• Psychiatrists manage medication, while clinical psychologists provide ongoing psychotherapy. 

• Regular communication between the professionals involved in your care, including your GP, psychiatrist, and psychologist. This ensures that all aspects of your treatment are aligned and that you are receiving the most appropriate care.

• Holistic treatment plans that consider both psychological and biological aspects of mental health, as well as social factors. This is particularly important for conditions like eating disorders, where different treatment modalities may need to be integrated.

Collaborative care provides a more comprehensive and nuanced approach to mental health, addressing the individual’s needs from multiple angles.

Our clinical psychologists at ELD Psychology in Newcastle have experience in providing collaborative care and always strive to take a supportive and person-centred approach to treatment. 

Process of Getting a Referral from a GP

In Australia, the process of accessing mental health services often starts with your general practitioner (GP). A GP plays an important role in identifying the right treatment pathway for mental health concerns. Here's how the process generally works:

Initial Appointment with a GP:

If you're struggling with your mental health, the first step is usually to see your GP. During this appointment, your GP will assess your symptoms and may ask about your medical and psychological history, and discuss your treatment preferences.

Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP):

If your GP determines that you would benefit from seeing a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, they may create a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). This plan allows you to access Medicare rebates for psychological services (for up to 10 sessions per calendar year).

Referral to a Specialist:

Based on your GP’s assessment, they may refer you to either a psychologist or psychiatrist. Referrals to psychiatrists may be more common if the GP believes medication or more intensive treatment is necessary. For less severe conditions or when psychotherapy is the focus, they may refer you to a psychologist.

Follow-up:

After the referral, you will attend sessions with the psychologist or psychiatrist. Your GP will likely continue to monitor your progress and adjust the care plan as needed.

ELD Psychology in Newcastle is a team of Clinical Psychologists who are registered with medicare and able to provide psychological therapy under a MHCP. 

Both psychiatrists and clinical psychologists are essential in the field of mental health care, but their roles, training, and treatment approaches may differ. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication and may provide evidence-based psychological therapies.

Clinical psychologists focus on evidence-based psychological therapies and help individuals develop coping strategies to manage their conditions. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication. 

When deciding which professional to see, consider the nature of your symptoms, your treatment preferences, and your GP's recommendations. 

Mental health care is not one-size-fits-all, and whether you seek support from a psychiatrist, a clinical psychologist, or both, the important thing is that you are seeking help and taking steps towards improving your well-being.

Meet Your Clinical Psychologists In Newcastle

Dr Emma Doolan is a Clinical Psychologist based in Newcastle. With a collaborative and evidence-based approach, she helps clients overcome various challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma. 

Emma is experienced in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other modalities like schema therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and compassion-focused therapy. She holds a PhD in clinical psychology and has completed her registration as a clinical psychologist from AHPRA. Emma is a member of several professional associations, including ACPA, APS, AACBT, and APN.

Paige Cornell is a clinical psychologist in Newcastle who has experience in therapeutic modalities such as Motivational Interviewing, CBT, Schema Therapy, DBT, and ACT. She focuses on building a solid therapeutic relationship and tailoring treatment to each individual. Paige has experience in private practice, NGOs, and forensic settings. 

She works with a diverse range of mental health issues, including anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD, relationship problems, substance abuse, and offending behaviours. Paige is particularly interested in helping LGBTQI+ individuals and those dealing with trauma and substance abuse. She is fully registered and endorsed as a clinical psychologist and a board-approved supervisor for psychologists. Paige is a member of ACPA and APS, holding a Master's in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor's in Psychological Science (Honours).

Taylah Armstrong is a Clinical Psychologist in Newcastle. She focuses on developing solid therapeutic relationships to assist individuals in enhancing their well-being and achieving their goals. Taylah is skilled in treating various concerns such as anxiety, stress, mood disorders, trauma, and eating disorders. 

She utilises evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, and ACT. Taylah has worked in public healthcare, primary care, and education sectors. She is fully registered and endorsed as a clinical psychologist by AHPRA and holds a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Newcastle.

Paige Whitfield is a clinical psychologist in Newcastle with experience in private and public health settings. She collaborates with health professionals, families, and schools to provide evidence-based treatments like CBT, Narrative Therapy, and ACT for various issues. Paige has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology (Honours) and a Master's in Clinical Psychology. She is fully registered and endorsed as a clinical psychologist and is a member of APS and ACPA.

Dr Kaitlin Fitzgerald is a clinical psychologist in Newcastle who takes a collaborative and client-centred approach to therapy. She creates a warm and relaxed environment for clients, aiming to make therapy sessions comfortable and even enjoyable. Kaitlin holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of Newcastle. In addition to her private practice at ELD Psychology, she also works in public mental health treating adults with various mental health issues. 

Kaitlin has experience working with a wide range of concerns, such as anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. She is skilled in evidence-based therapies like CBT, Schema Therapy, DBT, and ACT. Kaitlin is fully registered as a clinical psychologist with AHPRA and is approved to supervise provisional and registered psychologists.

Eliza Newton is a person-centred Clinical Psychologist dedicated to helping clients explore their deeper selves. She tailors her approach to each client, using psychodynamic therapy for self-exploration or structured techniques like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Schema Therapy. Eliza focuses on individuals overcoming childhood trauma, including Complex PTSD, and helps those with ADHD develop organisational and emotional well-being strategies. With experience in private practice, inpatient settings, and psychiatric rehabilitation, she addresses challenges from anxiety and mood disorders to severe mental illness.

Eliza holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of Newcastle and a Master of Clinical Psychology from Western Sydney University. She is registered as a Clinical Psychologist with AHPRA and is a member of AAPi and ACPA.

Disclaimer

The content provided on this blog is intended for Australian audiences and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered as professional psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information shared here is based on general knowledge and experience in the field of psychology, but it may not be applicable to your specific situation.

Always seek the advice of your psychologist or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a psychological condition or treatment. Never disregard professional psychological advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.

If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor, or dial 000 immediately. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

The opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of any affiliated organisations or institutions.