Practitioner Comparison
| Psychiatrist | Psychologist | Mental Health Counsellor | |
| Qualification | Degree in medicine, followed by 4 years of residency training in psychiatry. Typically spend anywhere between 8-10 years in training. | A minimum of a Masters degree and typically a doctoral in psychology: the study of the mind and behaviours. Following graduate school, most do an internship that lasts 2-3 years and provides further training in treatment methods, psychological theory, and behavioural therapy. Typically spend anywhere between 6-10 years in training. | A minimum of a diploma within the relevant psychology field and/or a Masters degree. In order to be licensed, the professional counsellor also needs 2 additional years’ experience working with a qualified mental health professional after graduate school. Typically goes through fewer years of formalized training relative to the other two. |
| Level of Training & Experience | Specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating mental illness. Can differentiate between mental illnesses and underlying physical illnesses. | Qualified to evaluate and treat mental problems and disorders through counselling, psychotherapy, and psychological testing. They are not medical doctors. Will require certification from the associations that provide training in specific therapeutic modalities in order to be considered properly trained in the various modalities – eg.- EMDR, CBT, etc. The average psychologist will see a range of clients in their practice struggling with a number of emotional and psychological issues – the primary difference will be a psychologist will be typically trained in and use a larger variety of therapeutic techniques such as CBT, EMDR, Play Therapy for kids etc. | Qualified to evaluate and treat mental problems through providing counselling and/or psychotherapy. Will require certification from the associations that provide training in specific therapeutic modalities in order to be considered properly trained in the various modalities – eg.- EMDR, CBT, etc. Similar to a psychologist, the average counsellor will see a range of clients in their practice struggling with emotional and psychological issues – however, they are typically trained and will use a smaller range of treatment techniques. |
| Modality | Trained and licensed in using/prescribing biomedical approaches such as medication. Can arrange hospital visits/carry out physical examinations and other investigative procedures and brain imaging procedures Can monitor effects of mental illness on bodily functions e.g. sleep and blood pressure. | Can carry out psychological testing and work with you to make behavioural changes. Provides talk therapies and other forms of psychotherapy | Typically focused on issues associated with common developmental changes (career, education, family issues, life transitions) and guides you towards the best possible solution for yourself and supports the client in finding their own coping mechanisms. Cannot carry out psychological testing |
| Medication Prescription | Can prescribe medicine | Cannot prescribe medicine | Cannot prescribe medicine |
| Length of Consultation | Varies by client and the mental health professional. Typically shortest in duration, on average less than 15-20 minutes. | Varies by the client and the mental health professional. Typically 45-60 minutes in length, with longer first sessions for in-depth evaluation and assessment. | Varies by the client and the mental health professional. Typically 45-60 minutes in length, with longer first sessions for in-depth evaluation and assessment. |
| Amount of Consultations | Varies by the client and the mental health professional. Typically less frequent compared to the other two. | Varies by the client and the mental health professional. | Varies by the client and the mental health professional. |
| Price of Consultation | Varies | Varies | Typically lower cost than a psychiatrist and psychologist. |