A Psychologist is a person who is registered and therefore recognized to undertake a number of duties and provide services.
All psychologists require six years of university training prior to being registered. In Australia each state has specific acts for registration
of psychologists.

Registration is important and only those people with the appropriate qualifications, training and experience are allowed to be called a Psychologist. Registration by governments in Australia means that there are regulated standards of qualifications training and experience designed to protect the public.

By law all practicing psychologists are required to be registered with the Psychologists Registration Board in their state or territory. This is to ensure that they meet specific standards of competence and ethical practice.

A psychologist who offers their services must possess the training and skills that people should legitimately expect them to have. The psychologist registration boards in each Australian state maintain a register of people allowed to call themselves a Psychologist.

Psychologists study human behaviour in their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees before undertaking supervised experience and gaining registration.

It is not legal to claim the label Psychologist without the criteria that qualifies a person for it.

Some psychologists also qualify for membership of the Australian Psychological Society. The APS is the largest body for the profession of psychology in Australia. Entry to the APS requires more university training than necessarily required by Psychologists Registration Boards in each State. You can recognize APS psychologists by the letters MAPS or FAPS after their name.

But what is a Psychologist? A psychologist is a health professional trained to help people with everyday life problems such as workplace stress, family and relationship matters or coping with illness which can seriously affect your quality of life.

Seeking a consultation with an APS psychologist is “Good Thinking”. APS psychologists equip their clients with the skills they need to function better in their life and to prevent ill-health and other problems developing.

While some psychologists specialize in providing therapies for mental health problems, most psychologists assist mentally healthy people find ways of functioning better. Psychologists are experts in human behaviour. For example, they train people to handle stress and family problems. Psychological therapies are also widely used by groups and organizations.

Why Consult an APS Psychologist? Consulting an APS psychologist ensures clients receive expert psychological services of the highest standard. APS psychologists follow guidelines about professional conduct, responsibilities and confidentiality that are set and monitored by the APS in a Code of Ethics.

See an APS psychologist for help with:

Marital, family and relationship problems
Stress, migraines, or pain
Fears, phobias, anxiety and panic attacks
Depression and unresolved grief
Sexual difficulties
Sleeping difficulties
Eating and weight control problems
Health issues
Children and adult learning
Addictions
Becoming better parents and teachers
Personal growth
Career planning
Making better workplaces
Improving sports performance
Training and developing staff
Improving employment selection
Reviewing organizational structure and practices
Improving industrial relations and occupational health and safety
Studying consumer needs

Consulting a Psychologist - Many people and organizations can be helped with only a few consultations with a psychologist. Other issues require more long-term assistance. Your psychologist will discuss with you at the first consultation how many sessions may be necessary.

Most psychologists use observation, interviews and psychometric or diagnostic tests to understand people’s issues. They equip people with the skills needed to function better and to prevent problems.

Psychologists cannot prescribe medication. Their treatments are based on changing ways of thinking and behaviour without medication. There is a considerable amount of evidence showing psychological treatments to be very effective.

Fees for Psychological Services - The APS sets a recommended fee schedule but psychologists fees may vary because of patient circumstances and proposed length of treatment.

Your private health insurance fund may offer rebates for psychological consultations. You will need to be covered by ancillary benefits insurance (extras) and the psychologist must be approved by the health insurance fund. Some health funds require a medical referral.

You may also be able to claim psychologist’s fees through your workplace, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or State accident/compensation schemes.

Rebates are now available through Medicare for certain conditions. Specific treatments for mental health conditions can also be funded by the government under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Initiative (BOMHC). See your GP to arrange this.

Many Government-operated psychological services are free, such as community health centers and hospitals. The Commonwealth Department of Veteran’s Affairs will pay for veteran’s consultations with approved psychologists. Call the Department for details.

Areas of specialization in psychology:

Academic Psychologists conduct research and teach in universities.
Clinical Psychologists diagnose, treat and prevent a wide range of mental health and general health issues affecting adults, children and families.
Clinical Neuropsychologists assess, diagnose and manage individuals with brain impairment.
Community Psychologists assist people to achieve their goals in areas such as welfare and community projects.
Counselling Psychologists assist individuals and groups in areas to do with personal wellbeing, relationships, work, recreation, health and crisis management.
Educational and Development Psychologists provide children and adults with assessment, intervention and counselling services for learning and developmental issues across the life span.
Forensic Psychologists work with police services, the law and legal processes, and in correctional services.
Health Psychologists promote the prevention and treatment of illness and many work within the health care system.
Organisational Psychologists specialize in the areas of work, human resource management, training and development, and market research and advertising.
Sport Psychologists assist people involved in sport and exercise to maximize their performance, enjoyment and participation.

What is a Psychiatrist then? - A Psychiatrist is trained in medicine and specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. The practice of psychiatry and clinical psychology overlap considerably, the primary difference being that the psychiatrist by virtue of their medical license, is legally authorized to prescribe drugs and medication while the psychologist is not.

Psychiatry then is a branch of medicine and takes the view that people’s problems with emotion and behaviour are fundamentally medical problems.

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