Psychologists Calgary
Is One Of Our Calgary Psychologists Your Best Option?
Understanding the difference between a therapist and a registered psychologist in Calgary can be confusing for patients. You might be wondering why you even need to seek mental health care. Maybe you don’t know that you need it, but your loved ones are concerned about you. You might have been through a lot in life and certain events ended up leaving you with unhealed pain and trauma. Because of that, you’re feeling stressed or anxious almost constantly.
Many people do not know the difference between a therapist and psychologist; even more are unsure of how they should proceed after suffering or encountering emotional trauma.
The distinction between a psychologist and a therapist is one that you need to know before you are able to make the smartest decision for your case.
Psychologists Calgary are registered professionals who study the mind, brain and behavior while therapists use more clinical methods to treat their patients psychologically. It really depends on what you’re looking for, but it may be worth checking out both to make an informed decision.
What Will Seeing A Psychologist In Calgary Do For Me?
Psychologists are people who study human behaviour and mental processes. There are many kinds of psychologists, including:
- clinical;
- counselling;
- educational;
- forensic; and
- research.
The difference between a therapist and a registered psychologist in Calgary is that a psychologist generally has an advanced degree in psychology (PhD) however this requirement differs from province to province. A therapist is someone who specializes in helping with mental health problems (MHP).
Some psychologists may be focused in a certain area and work with individual clients, group therapy or offer advice through education. There are some that are only child psychologists. Others may work in organisations such as hospitals, clinics, prisons, schools and counselling centres. There are also clinical psychologists who work in private practice specialising in diagnosing and treating issues like anxiety, stress, mood disorders and relationship difficulties.
They use this information to help individuals, groups or organisations change their behaviour and improve mental well-being, so they can achieve their full potential.
Psychology is the science of how people think, feel, and behave. A registered psychologist is interested in what makes people different from one another, what leads people to become depressed or anxious, how people’s behaviors change over time, and what can be done to improve relationships among people.
What Will Seeing A Therapist In Calgary Do For Me?
It’s important to know the difference between a registered psychologist and a therapist, because although it may seem like they have the same jobs, they have different qualifications and use different terms in their practices. A therapist is a broad term used to describe a healthcare provider who deals with people’s emotional and mental problems.
Therapists (sometimes called counsellors) are licensed or registered mental health professionals – they have completed intensive training in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders, coping with emotional stress, improving communication and listening skills, and enhancing personal, family, and relationship satisfaction. Therapists should typically be trained in graduate (Masters) level of education.
Working with a therapist is a collaborative, goal-oriented process. They help clients understand their problems and work together to find solutions. Therapists provide the opportunity to work with a professional in a confidential space to explore feelings about past experiences or current life challenges that affect daily life such as their personal affairs or their jobs.
Therapists can help treat the following afflictions:
- anxiety;
- depression;
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);
- eating disorders.
Therapists conduct 1:1 or group therapy sessions, while managing other mental-health professionals (if needed). They also offer family therapy on select issues.
A Look At The Key Differences Between A Therapist and Psychologist In Calgary
The primary objective for both disciplines is to provide therapy and guidance and help others cope with emotional and psychological issues.
A psychologist in Calgary will have a stronger background in research than therapists; it’s that background that gives them the ability to assess cause and effect in your life. They also have more experience working with mental and emotional disorders.
A therapist in Calgary will be more interested in working with you on a short to long term basis to help you fix an identified issue that may be causing problems in your life.
When you’re thinking about where to seek therapy in Calgary, ask yourself – do you want a therapist who can help you figure out why things aren’t going well in your job, with your relationships or with your family? If the answer is “yes”, a therapist is likely a smart choice.
The person that you choose to help you during the process of therapy will have a profound impact on your journey.
*Virtuous Circle Counselling offers in-person and online counselling services in Calgary. To book an appointment, please go to our Appointment Request form .
FAQs
A therapist and a psychologist overlap a lot, both are trained in therapy, but a psychologist is also trained to diagnose mental health disorders.
That depends on how you define “better”. Psychologists go through more schooling depending on the province they are registered in, while therapists have at a minimum of post graduate training as well as mastered a certain number of techniques to become certified. In summary, Psychologists and therapists are both mental-health professionals; how they’re trained, supervised, and regulated can vary by province.
No -If you are looking to book an appointment with a therapist or psychologist, you can do so without a referral from your GP.
