The Difference Between a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Therapist & Counsellor

Mental health is as important as our overall physical health. Hong Kong’s fast-paced lifestyle can be one of the main contributors to stress¹. This lifestyle also often leaves little space to care for our mental health.

Some people assume therapy isn’t worth the time. They are often unaware of the different types of therapy and therapists that are available. Those who want help tend to ask, "What is the difference between a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a therapist, and a counsellor?"

When should I seek help?

These are some of the signs that you might need to seek help:

You are worrying more than you normally would
You are getting distracted more frequently than usual
You are struggling to enjoy life or your general day-to-day activities
You are letting difficult thoughts and feelings impact your daily life
You are feeling more emotional than normal

Or try the quiz to know more about your current situation.

Find the right mental health professional for your needs

There are lots of effective treatments for mental health issues. However, the first step is finding the right person for your difficulties. Knowing the difference between a therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist and counsellor will give you an insight into what to expect from these professionals. They focus on different aspects of mental health and provide a solution with a specialised approach.

Your mental health clinic will recommend a specialist if you are unsure which one would suit you. This may change after your initial visit as you delve deeper into the issue that is bothering you.

What does a Psychiatrist do?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who help with mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, personality disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. They can prescribe medication and carry out general health checks. Their methods usually combine psychotherapy and medical treatments: a medical doctor and psychologist all in one.

What does a Psychologist do?

Psychologists are trained to treat conditions such as depression, emotional issues, behavioural difficulties and learning difficulties². Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists do not prescribe any medication. However, they use specific therapeutic techniques to help clients with their presenting problems.

What does a Therapist do?

Therapists are mental health professionals qualified to help in various areas. There are several types of psychotherapy, but here we take a look at the main ones:

Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR)³ is a type of psychotherapy focusing on helping people heal from the symptoms and effects of traumatic life experiences.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)⁴ helps to identify negative and unhealthy behaviours and beliefs, and replace them with healthy and positive ones.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)⁴ helps to make individuals become aware of and accept their thoughts and feelings. They can then commit to making changes, increasing their ability to cope and adjust to situations.
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)⁵ promotes emotional healing by encouraging compassion towards others and oneself.

What does a Counsellor do?

Counsellors are trained professionals who provide solutions strictly to personal problems⁶. Although they fall under the same category as psychotherapists, counsellors’ primary focus is on interpersonal and personal issues. Unlike therapists who focus on more profound changes to one’s personality, counsellors focus on a specific area of one’s life and solving problems. Some of the problems counsellors help with include addiction, marital problems, loss and grief.

Where to start

Reaching out can be difficult, but the feeling of helplessness will only increase as you continue coping with an issue without the right help. There are many people that are struggling with mental wellness and are looking for support.

When seeking help, you can start by reaching out to someone you trust. This can be your GP, school counsellor, colleague or family. Mental health information hotlines in Hong Kong include:

Social Welfare and Department Hotline: 2343-2255
Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service: 2535-4135
Joyful Mental Health Foundation Emotional Support Hotline: 2301-2303

Help at OT&P MindWorX

MindWorX is the dedicated mental wellness clinic at OT&P. At MindWorX, we have a team of qualified and experienced psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical hypnotherapists, educational psychologists, mental health counsellors and behavioural therapists, offering sessions in both English and Cantonese. Our team provides a wide range of therapy services with a personal approach as there is no room for a one-size-fits-all approach to mental health.