Psychology is the study of the mind and the practice of providing therapeutic interventions (therapies) in order to recover from illness and maintain wellbeing. Psychologists also focus on the thinking and behaviour of groups and communities, and research on these area forms an important part of our understanding about how societies work.
Psychologists are trained via various pathways which may include research at a higher level, such as a Masters or PhD degree (clinical psychology), but overall most psychologists will have six years of training or more. Psychologists are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and are listed with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. There are strict requirements about continuing professional education and observing a code of ethics.
Psychologists have a level of training and observance of professional boundaries which is shared across the profession. Counsellors and life coaches are different from psychologists both in their approach and in the level of training they have undertaken.
Psychologists often work together with psychiatrists to treat complex mental illness and neurodevelopmental symptoms. This relationship often involves the psychologist providing one or more of the “talking therapies” (eg CBT, ACT, DBT) to the patient, and educating family and school staff about techniques to support the young person. In this model the psychiatrist’s role may be prescribing medication and coordinating other aspects of care. There are then regular discussions between the psychologist and psychiatrist about diagnosis, progress, and aspects of management.
To book with our Registered Psychologists Haylee Johnson or Jordan Smith, please email Little Tree at admin@littletreepractice.com.au or call us on 02 8999 1183.
