What is a Counselling Psychologist?
There are several different types of psychologist trainings – Neurological, Sport & Exercise, Forensic, Health, Counselling, Educational, Clinical and Occupational.
There is probably most overlap between Counselling and Clinical psychology trainings – the biggest difference being that Counselling psychology trainings include the requirement to provide a minimum of 450 hours of therapy with clients.
Counselling psychologists are encouraged to understand and work with the context of what is being presented.
This is what the British Psychological Society say about Counselling psychologists in the careers section of their website –
Counselling psychologists deal with a wide range of mental health problems concerning life issues including bereavement, domestic violence, sexual abuse, traumas and relationship issues. They understand diagnosis and the medical context to mental health problems and work with the individual’s unique subjective psychological experience to empower their recovery and alleviate distress.
Counselling psychologists are a relatively new breed of professional applied psychologists concerned with the integration of psychological theory and research with therapeutic practice. The practice of counselling psychology requires a high level of self-awareness and competence in relating the skills and knowledge of personal and interpersonal dynamics to the therapeutic context.
Counselling psychologists work in hospitals (acute admissions, psychiatric intensive care, rehabilitation), health centres, Improving Access to Psychological Therapy Services, Community Mental Health Teams and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. They also work within private hospitals, private practice, forensic settings, industry, education, research and corporate institutions.
Counselling psychologists focus on working with a tailored psychological formulation to improve psychological functioning and well-being, working collaboratively with people across a diverse range of disciplines.