Over many years, psychologists have sought to understand how we function as human beings. Based on rigorous scientific testing, psychological theories help us to understand how we think and how we behave; how we interact with one another, within our families, within groups and within society as a whole, and how we develop, from childhood to adulthood and to old age.

Clinical psychology is the application of these scientifically developed and tested theories of human psychological functioning to mental and psychological health problems and difficulties throughout the lifespan.

Clinical psychologists have all completed an undergraduate degree in psychology and a postgraduate training in clinical psychology, (currently a 3 year doctoral training). Many have also completed PhDs and/or prior to undertaking their clinical training, spent many years working in relevant mental health fields.

All psychologists entitled to call themselves clinical psychologists must be registrant practitioner psychologists with the Health Professions Council (HPC). The HPC is the regulator of health professionals. It holds the responsibility of protecting the health and well being of people who use the services of the health professionals who are registered with the HPC. All clinical psychologists are bound to uphold the HPC’s standards of training, professional skills, behaviour and health.

For more information on the Health Professions Council, on registrant Practitioner Psychologists and on the HPC’s standards, or to access the HPC’s on line register, follow this link to the Health Professions Council.

The term “Chartered Psychologist” is also protected and only those who have fulfilled the criteria set down by the British Psychological Society(BPS)  on behalf of the Crown are entitled to describe themselves as such. The BPS maintains a Register of Chartered Psychologists that is open and available to the public, both in written form and on line.

For more information on Chartered Psychologists, to access the Register of Chartered Psychologists, or to find out more about psychology and psychologists in the UK in general, follow this link to the British Psychological Society.

Unlike psychologists, psychiatrists have undergone a medical (and not a psychological) training and as such, can prescribe medication where this might be indicated in cases of severe and serious mental illness. More information can be obtained from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Counsellors and psychotherapists have more varied training backgrounds and may not have training in either medicine or psychology (although some do). Many use forms of therapy that seek to help with psychological difficulties by listening, and by increasing self-awareness and understanding.