What is the difference between a Psychologist, Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Psychiatrist?
Psychiatrist 

• Medically trained doctor with extensive extra training leading to a specialisation.
• Specialises in diagnosing, treating and preventing mental illness.
• Often work in forensic settings or specialist areas.
• Are able to prescribe medications. 
• Registered in Australia through Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (APRHA) 

Psychologist

• University educated health professional who has completed a 4 year undergraduate degree + 2 further years.
• There are general psychologist and clinical psychologists. Clinical Psychologists have completed a Masters or PhD in Clinical Psychology. 
• Research driven and clients come from a medical model - if sent by GP. 
• Registered in Australia through Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (APRHA) 

Psychotherapist

• Usually, but not always, has an undergraduate degree
• Generally have undergone their own personal psychotherapy
• Specilisation that works in depth, over a long period of time, with people. 
• Generally has a psychoanalysis focus. 
• Several organisations that psychotherapists can join - most well known in Australia is PACFA

Counsellor

• Qualifications can be from a short course to masters degree.
• Often more person centred and many counsellors work from a holistic perspective.  
• Self regulated industry in many countries around the world.
• Many are members of organisations such as ACA, PACFA or AHHCA, all of whom have a code of ethics and recommend ongoing personal and professional development. 

Counselling and  Mental Health Care Plans (MHCP)

1. What is a Mental Health Care Plan? 

• A mental health care plan is a referral from your GP to a Psychologist or Acrredited Mental Health Social Worker so they can provide counselling services to you.
• This means your GP will do an assessment of your mental health and determine if you need some support.
• They can then write you a referral for a Mental Health Care Plan to access a Psychologist or Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) who can provide counselling services.
• It is not for Counsellors. Counsellors are not, and it is likely they never will be, registered under Medicare.

2. How many sessions can I get?

• Most of the time you will be offered between 5-10 session.
• After this you will need to go back to your GP and get a new referral.
• You can access more if you go back to your GP for another referral up to a maximum of 20 sessions per year.
• Beyond the number of sessions you can have you will not be able to get Medicare rebates and will have to pay the full fee yourself.
• If you book direct with a counsellor without a MHCP you and your counsellor determine  how many sessions to have.

3. Does it cost me anything? I’ve been told I could get free sessions.

• Most psychologists charge over $200 per session.
• The Australian Psychology Association recommends a consultation fee of $267.
• AMHSW’s generally charge about $190+ per session.
• With a MHCP you will receive a rebate from Medicare for the sessions.
• This is generally $87 for a Registered Psychologist and $126 if you see a Clinical Psychologist.

4. So what will it cost me?

• The MHCP does not mean it will be free unless the psychologist or AMHSW only charge the Medicare gap.
• Those who only charge the gap generally have waiting lists that can extend to months.
• There is almost always a gap that you will have to pay and that will vary depending on who you see and what their full fee is.
• Your out of pocket expenses will likely be $80-100+ per session.

5. What else do I need to know?

• Under a mental health care plan the Medicare rebates is only for specific modalities.
• These are CBT, Psycho-education, Relaxation Strategies, Skills training, Interpersonal therapy, Narrative Therapy and EMDR.
• If you are seeking an alternative type of therapy – e.g. Gestalt, Art therapy, Holistic or Spiritual Counselling – these are not covered under a MHCP.

​6. What are the benefits of working with a counsellor?

• Clients are not required to continually present to their GP requesting referrals
• Fees are likely to be less
• Little or no waiting time to get an appointment.
• Engaging with a counsellor does not appear on ‘My Health Record'.
• A "mental health diagnosis" is not requisite to engage with you.
• The client retains power and autonomy over their care when they engage outside of the Medicare system.