Counsellors
Counsellors usually provide support for everyday challenges, personal growth, and life transitions. Training can vary from short courses through to postgraduate qualifications. Some are registered with professional bodies such as the Australian Counselling Association and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
- Relationship and family issues
- Stress, grief, or adjustment
- Personal development and well-being
- General life challenges
Psychologists
Psychologists in Australia are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. To reach general registration, people complete a minimum of six years of accredited education and supervised training through an approved higher degree or the 5 plus 1 internship pathway. Psychologists focus on assessment, evidence-based therapy, and treatment for a wide range of mental health concerns.
General Psychologists
- Complete a minimum of six years of education and training, usually a four-year accredited undergraduate sequence followed by either an approved two-year postgraduate program or the 5 plus 1 internship pathway.
- After this, they hold general registration with AHPRA.
- Provide therapy, assessment, and support for a wide range of mental health and well-being issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, or adjustment.
Clinical Psychologists
- Around eight years or more before full endorsement.
- Complete a minimum of six years of university study, usually a four-year accredited undergraduate psychology program with a minimum weighted average mark of 75 percent or higher, and then be chosen after a rigorous selection process to enter a two-year Master’s or three-year Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Followed by a registrar program and supervised practice. I miraculously managed to get through this process.
- After the postgraduate degree, a registrar program of supervised practice is required, typically between 1,500 and 3,000 hours, depending on the degree completed, to obtain area-of-practice endorsement.
- Work with complex mental health conditions and provide evidence-based interventions.
Counselling Psychologists
- Around eight years or more before full endorsement.
- Complete the same four-year accredited undergraduate sequence, then a two-year Master’s or Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, followed by registrar training.
- Emphasise well-being, resilience, adjustment, and therapy for life transitions.
Educational and Developmental Psychologists
- Around eight years or more before full endorsement.
- Complete the four-year undergraduate sequence, then a two-year Master’s or Doctorate in Educational and Developmental Psychology, plus registrar training.
- Focus on child, adolescent, and educational issues, including learning difficulties and developmental challenges.
Health Psychologists
- Around eight years or more before full endorsement.
- Complete the four-year undergraduate sequence, then a two-year Master’s or Doctorate in Health Psychology, plus registrar training.
- Specialise in supporting behaviour change around physical health conditions such as pain, chronic illness, and lifestyle.
Forensic Psychologists
- Around eight years or more before full endorsement.
- Complete the four-year undergraduate sequence, then a two-year Master’s or Doctorate in Forensic Psychology, plus registrar training.
- Work in the justice system, providing assessments and treatment related to offending behaviour and risk.
Organisational Psychologists
- Around eight years or more before full endorsement.
- Complete the four-year undergraduate sequence, then a two-year Master’s or Doctorate in Organisational Psychology, plus registrar training.
- Focus on workplaces, leadership, staff well-being, and human resources.
Clinical Neuropsychologists
- Around eight years or more before full endorsement.
- Complete the same four-year accredited undergraduate sequence in psychology, followed by a two-year Master’s or Doctorate specialising in Clinical Neuropsychology.
- As with Clinical Psychology, this is followed by registrar training and supervised practice.
- Specialise in assessing brain functioning, memory, learning, and the impacts of neurological conditions such as stroke, brain injury, or dementia.
Note: The Psychology Board recognises nine areas of practice endorsement in Australia, including community psychology and sport and exercise psychology, in addition to the areas listed above.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have specialised in psychiatry. They complete medical school, then advanced training in mental health. Specialist psychiatry training takes a minimum of 60 months full-time equivalent through the RANZCP Fellowship program. A medical referral is needed for private appointments and Medicare rebates. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication, manage psychiatric conditions, and often work closely with psychologists and counsellors.
- Medication management for depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, and other psychiatric conditions
- Complex or severe mental illness
- Collaborative care with GPs and psychologists
Comparing Counsellors, Psychologists, and Psychiatrists
| Profession | Training | What they do | Can prescribe medication | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counsellor | Varies. Certificate. Diploma. Degree. Masters. | Provides supportive counselling and strategies | No | Life stress. Grief. Relationship concerns |
| General Psychologist | About six years. Four-year undergrad plus two years postgraduate program or 5 plus 1 internship | Psychological assessment, diagnosis, therapy | No | Anxiety. Depression. Stress. Adjustment concerns |
| Clinical Psychologist | About eight years or more before full endorsement | Complex mental health treatment and evidence-based therapies | No | Severe, complex, or long-term psychological conditions; Anxiety, depression, trauma, complex mental health concerns |
| Counselling Psychologist | About eight years or more. Master’s or Doctorate plus registrar program | Therapy, well-being, and adjustment | No | Life transitions. Stress. Resilience. Well-being |
| Educational and Developmental Psychologist | About eight years or more. Master’s or Doctorate plus registrar program | Developmental and learning-focused support | No | Child, adolescent, and educational challenges |
| Health Psychologist | About eight years or more. Master’s or Doctorate plus registrar program | Support with health-related behaviour change | No | Pain. Sleep. Lifestyle. Chronic illness |
| Forensic Psychologist | About eight years or more. Master’s or Doctorate plus registrar program | Legal and justice-focused assessment and treatment | No | Offending behaviour. Risk assessment. Justice system |
| Organisational Psychologist | About eight years or more. Master’s or Doctorate plus registrar program | Workplace, leadership, and HR-focused support | No | Workplace well-being. Leadership. Human resources |
| Clinical Neuropsychologist | About eight years or more. Master’s or Doctorate plus registrar program | Cognitive and brain-function assessments | No | Brain injury. Dementia. Neurological conditions |
| Psychiatrist | Medical degree plus 60 months specialist psychiatry training | Diagnosis, therapy, and medication | Yes | Severe mental illness. Medication management |
FAQs about choosing a therapist
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist
Yes, if you want to claim Medicare rebates under a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP. You can also see a psychologist privately without a referral.
Do I need a referral to see a psychiatrist?
Yes, psychiatrists require a referral from a GP for an initial consultation.
Can I claim Medicare rebates for counselling
Generally, counsellors are not covered by Medicare under Better Access unless they are also registered in an eligible profession such as psychology, social work, or occupational therapy.
How do I know if medication is necessary?
If you or your GP think medication might help, a referral to a psychiatrist is the right step. Psychologists and counsellors cannot prescribe medication.
What if I try one therapist and it does not feel like the right fit?
That is very common. It can take a couple of tries to find the right person. The relationship you build with your therapist is one of the most important factors for positive outcomes.
Gentle closing thought
There is not always one right choice. Sometimes it takes trying one option, and then adjusting, to find the best fit. What matters most is that you feel safe, respected, and supported in moving toward your goals.