So, Who Does What?

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Clinical Psychologist

A Clinical Psychologist may be particularly helpful when difficulties are complex, overlapping or difficult to make sense of, or when you want both psychological assessment and therapeutic support.

We are trained across a wide range of psychological difficulties and across different stages of life. Our work can include psychological assessment, formulation, evidence-based therapy and, where the psychologist has the appropriate specialist training, neurodevelopmental or cognitive assessment.

Clinical Psychologists are registered with the HCPC. The HCPC

You might consider a Clinical Psychologist when: emotional wellbeing, behaviour, development, neurodiversity, relationships and life experiences seem to overlap, or when you would like a broad psychological understanding rather than focusing on one area alone.

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Psychiatrist

A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has then specialised in mental health. They can assess and diagnose mental health conditions and, unlike psychologists, can prescribe medication. Psychiatrists can also use psychological approaches and often work alongside psychologists and other mental health professionals. www.rcpsych.ac.uk

You might consider a Psychiatrist when: a medical assessment or medication may be needed, particularly for significant or complex mental health difficulties.

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Educational Psychologist

Educational Psychologists are specialist psychologists whose work centres particularly on children and young people, learning, development and education.

Their work can include learning difficulties, emotional and social wellbeing, behaviour and development. They often work collaboratively with families, schools and other professionals and may be involved in assessment and planning around a child's educational needs. Educational Psychologist is also an HCPC-protected professional title. 

You might consider an Educational Psychologist when: your main concerns relate to learning, development, access to education or understanding what a child needs in their educational environment.

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Counsellor or Psychotherapist

Counsellors and psychotherapists provide talking therapies and can offer valuable support with emotional difficulties, relationships, life experiences and mental health.

There is a very wide range of therapeutic approaches and levels of specialist training within these professions.

Unlike Clinical Psychologist, the titles Counsellor and Psychotherapist are not currently protected by statutory regulation in the UK. Many appropriately qualified therapists therefore choose to register with reputable professional organisations whose registers are accredited by the Professional Standards Authority, such as BACP or other recognised bodies. 

You might consider a counsellor or psychotherapist when: you would like ongoing talking therapy and have found a practitioner whose expertise, approach and training fit what you are looking for.

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Play Therapist

Play Therapists use play and creative approaches to help children communicate and explore emotions and experiences when talking directly about them may be difficult.

Play therapy can be particularly valuable for children for whom verbal talking therapy is not the most natural way to communicate.

Play Therapist is not regulated in the same statutory way as Clinical Psychologist, so I would recommend looking for someone on an appropriate professional register. For example, the British Association of Play Therapists maintains a Professional Standards Authority-accredited voluntary register. BAPT

You might consider a Play Therapist when: a child would benefit from emotional support delivered primarily through play and creative expression.

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Occupational Therapist (OT)

Occupational Therapists help children and adults participate more fully in the activities and routines of everyday life.

They may look at things such as independence, self-care, school or work, play, routines, physical and environmental barriers and how somebody manages everyday activities. Some OTs have additional specialist training relating to sensory differences.

Occupational Therapist is an HCPC-regulated profession. Royal College of Occupational Therapists

You might consider an OT when: the main difficulty is affecting everyday functioning, independence, participation, routines or the person's ability to manage the demands of their environment.

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Speech and Language Therapist (SALT/SLT)

Despite the name, Speech and Language Therapists work with much more than speech.

They assess and support speech, language and communication, which can include understanding and using language, social communication and alternative ways of communicating. They also have specialist roles relating to eating, drinking and swallowing. RCSLT+

They commonly work alongside psychologists and other professionals, including when supporting neurodivergent children and adults.

Speech and Language Therapist is an HCPC-protected profession. You might consider an SLT when: there are questions about speech, language, understanding, communication or social communication.

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Support Worker or Enabler

Support workers and enablers generally provide practical, day-to-day support rather than psychological assessment or therapy.

Their role might involve helping someone develop independence, access their community, establish routines, take part in activities, practise skills or put strategies recommended by other professionals into everyday life.

They can be an extremely important part of someone's support network, particularly when the challenge is not simply understanding what somebody needs, but helping them put that support into practice consistently.

You might consider a support worker or enabler when: someone needs regular practical support to participate, build independence or manage daily life.

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Sometimes You Need More Than One

 

These professions are not mutually exclusive.

A child might, for example, work with an Educational Psychologist around their educational needs, a Speech and Language Therapist around communication, an Occupational Therapist around daily functioning and sensory needs, and a Clinical Psychologist around anxiety, emotional wellbeing or a broader neurodevelopmental assessment.

Similarly, an adult might see a Psychiatrist for medication alongside psychological therapy with a Clinical Psychologist or psychotherapist.

Good multidisciplinary work is about bringing the right expertise together rather than expecting one professional to do everything.