Clinical vs General Psychologists

If you’ve been looking for a therapist, you might have noticed some are titled “Clinical Psychologist” while others are just “Psychologist” (sometimes called a General Psychologist). It’s a common point of confusion, so let’s clarify the differences in the Australian context:

Education and Training

• Registered Psychologist (General): To become a registered psychologist in Australia, a person must complete a minimum of six years of training in psychology. This typically means a four-year university degree (such as a Bachelor’s plus Honours in psychology) followed by two years of further training, which could be a supervised practice internship or a Master’s degree. After meeting these requirements, they can be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and use the title “Psychologist.” They must also engage in ongoing professional development to maintain their registration.
• Clinical Psychologist: A clinical psychologist goes through all the steps above and then some. After the standard six-year pathway, they undertake additional specialised postgraduate study in clinical psychology – usually a two-year Master of Clinical Psychology or a three to four-year Doctorate/PhD in Clinical Psychology. This higher training focuses deeply on mental health assessment, diagnosis, and advanced treatment techniques. It also involves substantial supervised clinical placements in hospitals or clinics. In total, a clinical psychologist has around eight years or more of training. They receive an endorsement in “Clinical Psychology,” meaning the professional board recognises them as having this specialty.

In summary, every clinical psychologist is a psychologist, but not every psychologist is a clinical psychologist. The clinical title signifies extra qualifications. Think of it like the difference between a general medical doctor and a specialist surgeon – both are doctors, but one has additional specialisation.

Skills and Areas of Expertise

Because of the extra training, clinical psychologists often have particular expertise in:

• Assessment and Diagnosis: They are extensively trained to conduct complex assessments and diagnose a broad range of mental health disorders. For example, a clinical psych might do formal diagnostic interviews or psychometric tests to pinpoint conditions like OCD, bipolar disorder, or personality disorders.
• Treatment of Complex Issues: Clinical psychologists are skilled in treating not just common issues like anxiety and depression, but also more complex or severe mental health conditions (e.g. PTSD, eating disorders, complex trauma, etc.). They often stay updated on the latest clinical research and therapeutic techniques for these conditions.
• Research and Academia: Many clinical psychologists are involved in research or keep up with scientific literature, given their advanced degrees. This means they’re often very evidence-focused in their practice (which is great for clients, because you’re getting approaches that have been scientifically tested).

Now, this doesn’t mean a general psychologist isn’t skilled – they absolutely are. General registered psychologists also work with anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, and many other concerns effectively. They too use evidence-based therapies like CBT, ACT, and so on. The difference is more about depth and breadth of training for complex cases.

Erin, for example, is a Clinical Psychologist. That indicates she has that higher level of training. She has advanced skills in assessment and therapy for a range of conditions, and she specialises in areas like trauma and anxiety disorders. If you have particularly complex issues, you might specifically seek out a clinical psychologist like Erin because of this expertise.

Medicare Rebate Difference

One tangible difference you might notice is in the Medicare rebate (if you are accessing therapy through a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP). Medicare recognises the extra training of clinical psychologists by providing a higher rebate for their services:

• For a clinical psychologist, the rebate is around $131 to $142 per session (it changes slightly each year; currently $141.85).
• For a general registered psychologist, the rebate is around $88 per session.

This means if you see a clinical psychologist, Medicare covers a bit more of the fee. However, clinical psychologists also may charge slightly higher fees on average than general psychologists. In practice, the out-of-pocket cost might end up similar between a moderately-priced clinical psych and a lower-priced general psych. It’s always good to check fees and do the math.

Do You Need a Clinical or a General Psychologist?

For many people, either type of psychologist can help, especially for common issues like mild-to-moderate anxiety, depression, stress, or relationship problems. The core therapy skills are strong in both.

You might consider seeking a Clinical Psychologist if:

• You have a more complex or severe condition (for example, a history of significant trauma, a complicated mix of issues, or a less common disorder) and you want someone with specialised expertise.
• You anticipate needing a diagnosis or formal assessment for something specific.
• You simply feel more comfortable knowing the therapist has the highest level of training (some people’s GP or psychiatrist will specifically recommend a clinical psychologist for this reason).

On the other hand, a General Psychologist can be a great choice if:

• Your issues are more everyday or situational (stress from work, life transitions, etc.) or common mental health issues, and you’re looking mainly for support and coping strategies.
• You’ve found someone who isn’t a clinical psych but has lots of experience in the area you need (for example, a psychologist who’s worked 20 years with relationship counselling or anxiety management might be just as helpful as a clinical psych for those specific issues).
• Accessibility or cost is a big factor – you might get in to see a general psychologist sooner or find their fees a bit lower (though this isn’t a hard rule).

It’s also worth noting there are other types of psychologists with different specialities – like counselling psychologists, health psychologists, neuropsychologists, etc. These titles indicate other areas of focus or training. But all share that solid base of being registered psychologists.

The Therapeutic Relationship Matters Most

Research and client experience both tell us that the quality of the relationship between you and your psychologist is one of the biggest factors in therapy success. Whether clinical or general, if the psychologist is someone you feel safe with, understood by, and confident in, that’s a great sign.

So while it’s useful to understand the distinctions in titles:

• Don’t get too caught up in thinking one is “better” than the other for every situation. It really depends on your needs and the individual professional.
• Feel free to ask a psychologist (of any type) about their experience with your particular issues. For instance, you can ask, “Have you worked with people dealing with fertility anxiety before?” or “Do you have experience treating OCD?” They’ll be happy to tell you.
• Both types of psychologists will refer on if something is outside their competence. A general psychologist might refer a very complex case to a clinical specialist; a clinical psychologist might refer out a case that needs a very niche expertise (say, a neuropsychological assessment). The goal for any ethical practitioner is that you get the help you need.

A clinical psychologist has additional specialised training compared to a general psychologist, particularly for complex mental health issues. This is reflected in their title and Medicare rebates. But all registered psychologists are qualified to provide therapy and support for a wide range of issues. When choosing, consider the nature of your problem, any recommendations from your GP, and the rapport you feel with the professional. That combination will guide you to the right choice for your mental health journey.