18/06/2026
Who Does What in Mental Health?
Many people are unsure about the differences between mental health professionals. Here's a simple guide:
🗣️ Counsellor (ACA or PACFA Registered): Provides talk therapy and evidence based strategies to provide support for issues such as stress, anxiety, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, life transitions, trauma, and personal growth. Counsellors help people develop insight, coping skills, and use strategies to improve communication and wellbeing.
🧠 Psychologist: Assesses, diagnoses, and treats mental health conditions using evidence-based therapies. Psychologists are trained in psychological assessment and can work with a wide range of mental health concerns. They cannot prescribe medication but they can make diagnostic based recommendations.
💊 Psychiatrist: A medical doctor who specialises in mental health. Psychiatrists can diagnose mental illnesses, prescribe and manage medications, and provide treatment for more complex or severe mental health conditions.
🤝 Mental Health Social Worker: Provides counselling type therapy while also helping people navigate practical challenges that affect mental health, such as housing, family issues, financial stress, community supports, and advocacy.
🏥 Mental Health Nurse: A registered nurse with specialised mental health training. They support people with mental health conditions, monitor wellbeing, assist with medication management, provide psychoeducation, and often work within hospitals and community mental health services.
🌱 Mental Health Occupational Therapist (OT): Focuses on helping people participate in everyday life. Mental health OTs support people to develop routines, improve daily functioning, return to work or study, build independence, and manage the impact of mental health challenges on day-to-day activities.
✨ The most important thing to remember is that these professions often work together. The "best" professional depends on your individual needs, goals, and circumstances.
Seeking support is always a positive first step and feel free to check out my website or call 0455 898 325 for more information about my counselling services.
