What Psychologists Do

Psychologists are trained to understand how people think, feel, behave and relate. They use psychological knowledge and evidence-based therapies to help people better understand and manage emotional, behavioural and relational difficulties.

​

People see psychologists for many different reasons. Some clients are experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, stress, panic, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem or burnout. Others may not have a formal mental health diagnosis but want support to better understand themselves, manage emotions, adjust to life changes, improve relationships or change patterns that are affecting their wellbeing.​

​

What can psychologists help with?

Psychologists can help clients with a wide range of concerns, including:

​

• anxiety, worry, panic and overthinking

• depression, low mood or loss of motivation

• stress, burnout and difficulty switching off

• trauma, PTSD or adverse life experiences

• grief, loss and major life changes

• relationship difficulties, conflict and attachment patterns

• low self-esteem, shame or self-criticism

• emotion regulation difficulties

• adjustment to career, study, health or family changes

• developing insight into recurring patterns

• identifying and working toward personal goals

You do not need to have a diagnosis to see a psychologist. Therapy can be useful when something feels distressing, confusing, repetitive or difficult to manage on your own.

​

What is a clinical psychologist?

A clinical psychologist is a psychologist who holds an area of practice endorsement in clinical psychology.

​

In Australia, “psychologist” is a protected title, meaning a person must be registered to use it. Titles linked to areas of practice endorsement, such as “clinical psychologist” and "counselling psychologist", are also protected and can only be used by psychologists who hold the relevant endorsement.

​

At South Yarra Psychology, our team includes registered psychologists, clinical psychologists and counselling psychologists.

​

Psychologist, counsellor, therapist or life coach: what is the difference?

It can be confusing to know what kind of professional to see. Many people use words like psychologist, therapist, counsellor, psychotherapist and life coach interchangeably, but they do not all mean the same thing.

​

A psychologist is a registered health professional who has completed recognised training in psychology, meets registration requirements, and is regulated by AHPRA and the Psychology Board of Australia.

​

Counsellors, psychotherapists and life coaches may also provide valuable support, and many have substantial training and experience. However, these titles do not all have the same registration requirements as psychologists. This means training, qualifications, scope of practice and professional regulation can vary significantly between providers.

​

The right person for you may depend on what you are seeking help with, the complexity of your concerns, whether you want evidence-based psychological therapy, whether Medicare rebates are relevant, and whether you prefer to see a registered health professional.

​

Psychologist or psychiatrist: who should I see?

Psychologists and psychiatrists both work with mental health concerns, but they have different training and roles.

​

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed specialist training in psychiatry. Psychiatrists can assess mental health conditions, prescribe medication and provide medical management.

​

A psychologist is not a medical doctor and does not prescribe medication. Psychologists provide psychological therapy, assessment and support to help clients understand and work with emotional, behavioural, cognitive and relational difficulties.

​

Some clients see both a psychologist and a psychiatrist, particularly where therapy and medication are both part of their care.

​

Do I need a GP referral to see a psychologist?

You do not need a GP referral to book an appointment with a psychologist at South Yarra Psychology.

​

A GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan are only required if you would like to claim Medicare rebates for eligible psychology sessions. If you are not planning to claim Medicare rebates, you can book directly without a referral.

​

For more information, please visit our Fees & Rebates page.

​

Therapy at South Yarra Psychology

South Yarra Psychology is a private psychology practice in South Yarra, Melbourne. Our psychologists primarily provide individual therapy for adults, with some couples therapy and adolescent appointments also available.

​

If you are not sure which psychologist to book with, you can book a free psychologist matching call. We will ask what you are seeking support for and recommend psychologist options who may be well suited to your needs, preferences and availability.

​​

​