Psychology

Psychology

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How can psychology nourish you?

In its broadest sense, psychology is the branch of science that explores how people’s minds and emotions work,[1] influencing the way we learn and behave, as well as the biological factors underpinning the way we think. Depending on their specialisation,[2] psychologists may work as experts in mental health, or apply their knowledge to helping professional sportspeople achieve peak performance.

Clinical psychology is the field most often associated with helping people who are facing mental health challenges[3] ranging from anxiety and depression to addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Other therapeutic specialisations include clinical neuropsychology and counselling psychology. Clinical neuropsychology[4] addresses difficulties with tasks such as communication or decision-making caused by physical problems with the brain, while counselling psychologists[5] provide people with help and support to cope with situations including grief and loss, mental-health issues, and unhealthy relationships.

You might wonder, “What is psychology as distinct from psychiatry?” The answer is that a psychiatrist is a doctor of medicine who has undergone further study to specialise in psychiatry, and is qualified to prescribe medication[6] as well as diagnose and treat severe mental disorders. Psychology also has similarities to both counselling and psychotherapy,[6.1] with a key distinction being that psychology is regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).[7]

In Australia, it is necessary to complete a four-year university degree plus two years of additional training[8] in order to attain a general registration in psychology meaning a person can then begin to practise as a psychologist. In order to become qualified in one of the specialised types of psychology, such as clinical psychology, a practitioner must undergo further education.[9]

Benefits of psychology

Psychologists use science-based methods[10] to evaluate your mental health and suggest suitable strategies and techniques to help resolve the concern that is troubling you. Psychological treatment has been studied for its effectiveness in resolving a wide variety of mental health conditions,[11] including depression, anxiety and phobia, eating disorders, substance abuse, ADHD and borderline personality.

The results of a meta-analysis suggest psychological care may significantly improve sleep quality[12] for people suffering from insomnia, and research indicates clinical psychology interventions may help reduce the symptoms[13] of ‘complicated grief’. Cognitive behavioural therapy, a cornerstone of psychological treatment, is reported to offer “statistically significant” benefits for anger management.[14]

Research suggests another therapeutic method, eye movement desensitisation and reprogramming (EMDR), may be an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).[15] There is evidence to suggest psychological treatment of panic disorders may provide similar immediate benefits to pharmaceutical medication, and may be more effective[16] for long-term management. 

Psychology may assist in relieving symptoms related to:

ADD/ADHD Alcohol and drug addiction Anger management Anorexia, bulimia and eating disorders Anxiety Autism Behavioural issues Body dysmorphia Brain fog and clarity Circulation and cardiovascular conditions Communication and self-expression Concentration, focus and problem solving Confidence and self-esteem Conflict resolution Depression Fears and phobias Grief, bereavement and loss Indecision Insomnia and sleep disorders Learning difficulties Love and Relationships Memory and cognitive function Mental health Motivation and procrastination Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Panic attacks PTSD and trauma Sadness Stress and tension Show all

What to expect from a psychology session

During your first session, you will usually be given a questionnaire or interview to help your psychologist learn about key aspects of your mental health.[17] You will also be asked about the difficulties which have prompted you to seek psychological care, and your psychologist will prepare a plan[18] for how to best support your recovery.

A session typically takes about an hour, and is held in a safe, supportive and confidential environment. The number of sessions you need will depend on the health concern you are seeking treatment for.[19]

There are many science-based techniques your psychologist might apply to support your mental wellness, such as talk therapy, hypnotherapy,[20] as well as various cognitive behavioural approaches,[21] and they are inherently low-risk treatments. In some cases, there is a possibility your psychologist might misdiagnose a serious condition.[22] It is also possible that your treatment may lead to a dependency on the help you receive during sessions,[23] instead of the preferred improvement in your independence and coping abilities. 

The central limitation is that your health concern might be too severe or acute for your psychologist to successfully help you resolve. If you are suffering from an illness such as schizophrenia[24] or major depressive disorder, your psychologist might decide to refer you to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will then evaluate your condition and possibly prescribe medication,[25] if this might be a more suitable path towards managing and improving your health. 

You do not need a referral to see a psychologist, although in Australia, you can ask your GP to draft a mental health plan for you, which can entitle you to Medicare rebates for up to 10 one-on-one sessions[26] with an appropriate mental health professional (such as a psychologist). Genuine rapport is a vital part of psychological treatment,[27] so don’t be discouraged if you feel like you’re not really seeing eye-to-eye with your psychologist. They will normally notice this as well, and will completely understand if you seek the help of a different psychologist.

References

  1. Psychiatrists and psychologists | healthdirect
  2. Types of psychologists | Australian Psychological Society
  3. What is a Clinical Psychologist? | The Australian Clinical Psychology Association
  4. Clinical neuropsychologists | Australian Psychological Society
  5. Counselling psychologists | Australian Psychological Society
  6. Psychiatrists and psychologists: what's the difference? | yourhealthinmind.org
  7. Psychotherapist vs. Psychologist. What is the Difference | Psychology Writing
  8. Home | Psychology Board of Australia
  9. Psychiatrists and psychologists | healthdirect
  10. FAQs | Got a Question? Ask Us | Edith Cowan University
  11. Psychology | Allied Health Professions Australia
  12. Evidence-Based Psychological Interventions in the Treatment of Mental Disorders | Australian Psychological Society
  13. Identifying effective psychological treatments for insomnia | Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology | APA PsycNet
  14. The prevention and treatment of complicated grief | Clinical Psychology Review | ScienceDirect
  15. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Anger: A Meta-Analysis | SpringerLink
  16. Information processing in the treatment of trauma | Journal of Clinical Psychology | Wiley Online Library
  17. Empirically supported treatments for panic disorder | Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology | APA PsycNet
  18. What do psychologists do? | ReachOut Australia
  19. What is the first session with a psychologist like? | psychprofessionals.com.au
  20. Frequently Asked Questions About Seeing a Psychologist | Inner Melbourne Clinical Psychology
  21. Clinical Hypnotherapy | Psychology Melbourne
  22. What to expect when seeing a clinical psychologist | Lawson Clinical Psychology
  23. Mental health misdiagnosis twice more likely for socially disadvantaged groups | sciencedaily.com
  24. A Synopsis of the Side Effects of Psychotherapy | psychscenehub.com
  25. Schizophrenia | healthdirect
  26. Psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors: Who to see for your mental health issues | abc.net.au
  27. Mental health care plan | healthdirect.gov.au
  28. Getting the most out of therapy | medibank.com.au

Frequently asked questions

Psychology is the branch of science that explores how people's minds and emotions work, influencing learning, behavior, and the underlying biological factors that shape thinking.

Psychologists can specialize in various fields based on their interests and expertise, such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or clinical neuropsychology. Each specialization addresses specific aspects of mental health and well-being.

Clinical psychology focuses on helping individuals facing mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, addiction, and PTSD. Clinical psychologists use therapeutic approaches to support individuals in overcoming these challenges.

Clinical neuropsychology addresses difficulties in tasks like communication or decision-making caused by physical problems in the brain. It involves the intersection of psychology and neuroscience to understand and address cognitive impairments.

Psychiatry involves medical training, allowing psychiatrists to prescribe medication and treat severe mental disorders. Psychology, on the other hand, focuses on understanding and treating mental health issues without the ability to prescribe medication.

Psychology is regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). While there are similarities between psychology, counseling, and psychotherapy, the key distinction lies in the regulatory framework, with psychology falling under the oversight of AHPRA.

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