About Psychologists
What do Psychologists do?
Psychologists work with you to try and shed some light on any difficulties you may be having. Then we think through with you what changes would be helpful, and work with you to try to help you achieve the changes that you want to achieve.
What sorts of problems can Psychologists help you with?
Psychologists are trained as scientist-practitioners and use evidence based practice and interventions to assess and treat a wide range of mental health, emotional and behavioural problems, including mood disorders, stress and anxiety problems, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychologists can also aid in the treatment of chronic illnesses (diabetes, heart disease, irritable bowel and cancer), dementia, developmental disorders, pain disorders, insomnia and palliative care issues. Psychologists trained with an emphasis on neuropsychology assess the entire range of brain impairments and plan for remediation and rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury and in other neurological conditions.
What will I be asked about?
My main aim when we meet for the first time is to listen to you so that we can come to a joint understanding of what difficulties you would like help with. In addition to learning about the problems you are experiencing, I will also be very interested to hear from you about what things have been going well and what things you enjoy.
Once I have an understanding about your challenges and strengths, I will talk with you about how I may be able to help and we can plan a series of sessions to undertake this work together.
What sort of help can I expect?
Before I give advice about ways I may be able to help, I want to be sure I have understood the problems and shared my understanding with you. Most clients find that having a clear, agreed picture of the problems is, in itself, a major step forward in knowing what to do about them. Assessment of the problems and situation may mean that I will ask you to complete scientifically validated psychological measures. These will provide information about a variety of relevant issues. Linking information from psychological measures to more traditional interview and observation based methods helps to add more validity to what can otherwise be an impressionistic process. Also it helps to ensure a person centered approach to intervention and treatment as factors such as skills, strengths, social supports and personality characteristics are considered. Towards the end of your assessment, I will discuss the options for further help with you in more detail. This may include approaches such as:
Is a Psychologist the same as a Psychiatrist?
No. A psychiatrist is a medically-trained doctor who specialises in mental health and is qualified to diagnose and treat mental illness and emotional and behavioral problems. Psychiatrists generally prescribe medication as treatment and in B.C. their services are covered by the Medical Services Plan. Psychiatrists in B.C. are licensed and regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC.
A registered psychologist will have completed an undergraduate degree in psychology and then done graduate doctoral level (and often post-doctoral level) training in psychology. They have specialised training in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness, emotional disorders, and behavioural problems. Also whilst they may have experience in the use of medication to treat mental illness, they do not prescribe medication. Rather psychologists usually work one-to-one with clients and use their knowledge of well-established psychological theories to treat and help people with managing and overcoming their problems.
Psychologists are also the only professionals specifically trained and qualified in the development, research, and administration of specialised psychological tests used to assess elements of intelligence or achievement, personality characteristics, mental and emotional disorders, and/or the effects of brain injury.
In B.C. psychologists are regulated under the Health Professions Act by the College of Psychologists of British Columbia, and along with our colleagues in Social Work and some Nurses, we are the only regulated profession that provides psychotherapy.
For more information on the topic and to also find information on the difference between a psychologist and a counsellor please go to the British Columbia Psychological Association website.
What do Psychologists do?
Psychologists work with you to try and shed some light on any difficulties you may be having. Then we think through with you what changes would be helpful, and work with you to try to help you achieve the changes that you want to achieve.
What sorts of problems can Psychologists help you with?
Psychologists are trained as scientist-practitioners and use evidence based practice and interventions to assess and treat a wide range of mental health, emotional and behavioural problems, including mood disorders, stress and anxiety problems, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychologists can also aid in the treatment of chronic illnesses (diabetes, heart disease, irritable bowel and cancer), dementia, developmental disorders, pain disorders, insomnia and palliative care issues. Psychologists trained with an emphasis on neuropsychology assess the entire range of brain impairments and plan for remediation and rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury and in other neurological conditions.
What will I be asked about?
My main aim when we meet for the first time is to listen to you so that we can come to a joint understanding of what difficulties you would like help with. In addition to learning about the problems you are experiencing, I will also be very interested to hear from you about what things have been going well and what things you enjoy.
Once I have an understanding about your challenges and strengths, I will talk with you about how I may be able to help and we can plan a series of sessions to undertake this work together.
What sort of help can I expect?
Before I give advice about ways I may be able to help, I want to be sure I have understood the problems and shared my understanding with you. Most clients find that having a clear, agreed picture of the problems is, in itself, a major step forward in knowing what to do about them. Assessment of the problems and situation may mean that I will ask you to complete scientifically validated psychological measures. These will provide information about a variety of relevant issues. Linking information from psychological measures to more traditional interview and observation based methods helps to add more validity to what can otherwise be an impressionistic process. Also it helps to ensure a person centered approach to intervention and treatment as factors such as skills, strengths, social supports and personality characteristics are considered. Towards the end of your assessment, I will discuss the options for further help with you in more detail. This may include approaches such as:
- helping you to cope better with worries, for example by teaching you relaxation techniques you may not already know.
- helping you explore the ways you think about your problems and the effects this thinking has on how well you cope.
Is a Psychologist the same as a Psychiatrist?
No. A psychiatrist is a medically-trained doctor who specialises in mental health and is qualified to diagnose and treat mental illness and emotional and behavioral problems. Psychiatrists generally prescribe medication as treatment and in B.C. their services are covered by the Medical Services Plan. Psychiatrists in B.C. are licensed and regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC.
A registered psychologist will have completed an undergraduate degree in psychology and then done graduate doctoral level (and often post-doctoral level) training in psychology. They have specialised training in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness, emotional disorders, and behavioural problems. Also whilst they may have experience in the use of medication to treat mental illness, they do not prescribe medication. Rather psychologists usually work one-to-one with clients and use their knowledge of well-established psychological theories to treat and help people with managing and overcoming their problems.
Psychologists are also the only professionals specifically trained and qualified in the development, research, and administration of specialised psychological tests used to assess elements of intelligence or achievement, personality characteristics, mental and emotional disorders, and/or the effects of brain injury.
In B.C. psychologists are regulated under the Health Professions Act by the College of Psychologists of British Columbia, and along with our colleagues in Social Work and some Nurses, we are the only regulated profession that provides psychotherapy.
For more information on the topic and to also find information on the difference between a psychologist and a counsellor please go to the British Columbia Psychological Association website.