#4: Psychologist vs Psychotherapist: Key differences and how to choose the right one
May 16, 2023
A common question often asked when seeking mental health support is: “What’s the difference between a psychologist and a psychotherapist?”
The answer is that it’s important to note that there are a number of differences and similarities. And knowing them may help you make an informed choice when seeking professional help.
Professional accreditation and protected titles
A protected title is a legal designation for health and social care professionals. This designation varies from country to country.
Only those who are registered or professionally accredited can use the protected titles associated with that profession.
While not a core difference, it is firstly most important to note that a ‘psychologist’ is a ‘protected’ title internationally, while a ‘psychotherapist’ is only ‘protected’ in some countries.
Before going to see your chosen psychologist or psychotherapist, you can check to see if they are qualified and legally registered.
Psychologists vs Psychotherapists: Key differences
A psychologist is a professional who practices psychological science, studying mental states, including perceptual, cognitive, emotional, as well as social processes and behaviour.
As psychology is a science, psychologists therefore work on an evidence base that informs their methodology. Their work often involves experimentation, observation, and interpretation of how individuals relate to each other and to their environments.
Modern-day psychology is an empirical, evidence-based science that began as a field of experimental study in 1854 in Leipzig, Germany. However, psychological theories and psychotherapeutic approaches have been recorded throughout history, dating back to as far as the 9th century.
For example, eastern philosophies and psychotherapeutic thinkers such as Patañjali and Rumi had an integrative approach to mental health that encompassed a combination of religious, spiritual, and medical perspectives. This integrative thinking aligns with modern-day psychotherapy methods of intervention that originate from diverse schools of thought.
Psychotherapy itself is the use of psychological methods that are employed by professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, counsellors and other community members.
This is the reason why you may encounter mental health professionals who specialise in different psycho-therapeutic methods such as CBT, ACT, Schema, or Hakomi etc.
Measurable vs unmeasurable: Diverging approaches
Many psycho-therapeutic methods rely on concepts and ideas stemming from eastern philosophies and perspectives which produce results that cannot be measured scientifically.
For example, science cannot define ‘consciousness’ as it cannot be observed. This idea encapsulates the difference between the psychological sciences versus philosophers or psychotherapeutic thinkers.
While psychotherapists work with intangible and unquantifiable human experiences, psychologists work on and towards an evidence base that can be observed, defined and measured.
A clinical supervisor with Hue Therapy describes the difference as “Psychology being an analysis of the external reflections of a person and psychotherapy being the analysis of the internal reflections.”
Choosing the ideal mental health professional for your needs
It is important to connect with your therapist’s human side and way of relating. This is what will ultimately help you to work collaboratively and effectively together.
Choosing a therapist that uses a method or framework that aligns with your needs is also something to be considered. For example, if you find that you resonate more with someone who relies on data and neuroscience to inform their understanding of you, then a clinical neuropsychologist might be the right fit.
Consider the method or framework that aligns with your needs:
- Clinical Neuropsychologist: empirical research and neuroscience-driven understanding
- Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT): Emotion exploration over solution finding
- Hakomi: Mindfulness and somatic experience exploration
The healing journey: Embracing curiosity and courage
Whether you choose a psychologist, counsellor, or psychotherapist, therapy is a rewarding journey that fosters curiosity and bravery. To learn more about different modalities, read our blog Explaining CBT, ACT, EFT, and Schema Therapy.
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