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HOW
TO GET THE HELP YOU NEED:
What is the difference between a Psychologist, a
Psychiatrist and a Counsellor?
In South Africa any person wishing to use the
title Psychologist must by law, be
registered with the Professional Board of
Psychology of the Health Professions Council of
South Africa. To register with the Board, a
psychologist must complete an approved Master's
degree and an approved internship, usually another
year at an accredited institution. This means that
your psychologist will have had at least six years
of university training. Some psychologists go on
to do a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) which means a
number more years of study, research and a thesis,
and then get the title Doctor.
Psychologists are at present still registered in
different categories, due to differences in their
training, skills, interest fields and internship
placements. These categories are Counselling,
Clinical, Educational, Industrial and Research
Psychology. You are perfectly entitled to ask
whether your psychologist has the expertise and
training suited to your needs.
Remember, if your psychologist is not registered,
he/she is practising unlawfully.
A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has
specialised in psychiatry. Traditionally a
psychiatrist is more involved with the medical
aspects of mental illness and such a doctor is an
expert on the chemical treatment of mental and
emotional problems. Mostly psychiatrists and
psychologists work together - the psychiatrist
dealing with medication and hospitalisation
issues, while the psychologist works with
assessment and "talking" therapy.
A Counsellor, or lay counsellor, is usually
a volunteer, working for an organisation, e.g.
Lifeline, FAMSA, Family Life Centre and other
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO's). These
people are trained in specific counselling skills
by their organisation and perform many valuable
duties, but do not have the necessary
qualifications to be called psychologists. Lay
counsellors generally work under supervision of a
registered person. By law, lay counsellors cannot
receive money from clients for their work. Lay
counsellors may not yet operate a private practice
for remuneration.
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