While exploring mental health treatment in Canada, you may receive recommendations to see a psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, or therapist. However, each has their own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a breakdown of what each profession does and what they treat:
What does a psychologist do?
Psychologists focus on the emotional and behavioral aspect of mental illness, often using varying techniques of psychotherapy.
A typical journey for a patient could be seeing their general practitioner, who refers the patient to a psychologist. The psychologist would learn about the patient through psychological tests. In the event where medication or more information is needed, they may work with a psychiatrist. This allows the patient to get clinical and behavioral treatment.
Those suffering from anxiety, learning difficulties, depression, or behavioral issues may benefit from psychological treatments like talk therapy.
Although psychologists may be referred to as ‘Dr’, it does not mean they are qualified medical doctors. Psychologists typically have a Doctorate level of education in psychology which is not to be confused with a medical doctor.
What does a psychiatrist do?
Psychiatrists differ from psychologists because they are medical doctors and can prescribe medication. In a sense, psychiatrists focus on the body and mind as a whole while psychologists primarily work with the mind.
The treatment of a patient can include:
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medication prescription and management
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general checkup – physical health and the results of your medication
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psychological treatments (psychotherapy) and other forms of therapy
Patients who suffer from conditions impacting both mind and body may seek treatment with a psychiatrist. Some examples would be severe depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. In many cases, a psychiatrist may work with a psychologist to treat a patient.
What is the difference between psychotherapy and counselling?
Counseling is typically done on a shorter term and focuses on particular instances such as addiction or grief. The counselor essentially acts as a coach which helps you through stressful situations. On the other hand, psychotherapy typically takes place over many years because it explores our behavior and past traumas. As I’m sure many of you know, it is very hard to change behaviors deeply ingrained into our psyche. In real practice, counseling and psychotherapy may often overlap.
Psychotherapy is a long-term treatment which looks at a person’s past and how it can impact their behavior and thought processes. At the root of it, psychologists and psychiatrists utilize psychotherapy to understand the core of a person’s issues. As a result, the two professions try to help their patients build a new, better foundation.
Types of psychotherapy include:
- cognitive behavioral therapy
- dialectical behavior therapy
- psychoanalytic psychotherapy
- and many more
At the base of any therapeutic relationship is trust, a common goal for growth, and a safe environment created between the patient and adviser. This is no different for counseling or psychotherapy.
Mental Health Care Coverage in Canada
Mental health care is expensive and rarely covered by the Canadian public healthcare system. If you are a small business owner, there is a solution! With a Health Spending Account (HSA), any eligible medical expense (such as an appointment with a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist) may be turned into a before-tax business expense. In summary, the HSA turns after-tax personal medical expenses into a before-tax business expense. This plan is for incorporated small business owners, even those with only 1 employee!
If you are NOT a small business owner, you can file these costs under the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC). It is a non-refundable tax credit applied through your personal tax return.
Determine your personal tax savings through our METC calculator.
Learn more about a Health Spending Account:
When people come in to therapy for the first time, they often have a lot of questions about what psychologists do (and what they cannot do). Usually, these questions are about medication, getting diagnosed with disorders or other conditions, and other specific details and abilities that will vary from one clinic to the next.
At Flourish Psychological Services, our team has different specialties that allow us to meet the needs of many different patients and therapy styles. However, there are a few important distinctions that set us apart from psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and medical doctors.
Do psychologists believe in medication?
Yes, we do! Psychologists believe in medication, but our approach and tool kit are focused primarily on therapeutic solutions first. Many treatments for psychological conditions have been proven effective through behavioural and cognitive therapy, so that is our starting point and we keep an open mind to wherever the situation may go. We work towards the best solution for each client, which may end up being a medication route to supplement and assist progress made through ongoing therapy.
Can psychologists diagnose?
Some psychologists can diagnose disorders and conditions, but this requires the proper training and certification within an area of expertise. Just like there are different types of doctors, lawyers, or professors, there are different types of psychologists whose knowledge may only have a little bit of overlap. For instance, an educational psychologist would not be able to diagnose mental health disorders, because they are entirely different approaches and fields of study. Similarly, psychologists trained in mental health cannot administer testing or diagnose educational or cognitive disorders.
Can psychologists prescribe me medication?
No, psychologists cannot prescribe medication in Canada. Only doctors or nurse practitioners – that is, people with an education in medicine – can prescribe medication. Psychologists exclusively study the brain, how it functions, and how its operations manifest in the body. Note that this does not mean a psychologist’s education is inadequate. Though they do not start with medical school, a therapist with a doctorate in psychology has at least 10, and usually up to 13, years of post-secondary education in the field of mental health.
Which types of psychologists can prescribe medication?
There are no types of psychologists that can prescribe medication. A therapist with the education and credentials required to make prescriptions is a psychiatrist – someone that has gone to medical school, and then done an additional seven years of mental health and psychological education. This is an important distinction that affects the type of service you can expect from a therapist.
As psychologists, we try non-medication routes to treat disorders first, and we find that many conditions respond well to behavioural therapies. These can cause less stress on the body, and are more sustainable overall since they are not dependent on daily medication. However, they are not always feasible or effective, such as for many forms of depression or schizophrenia. Any good psychologist will be able to identify the best route forward for your specific circumstances.
Do you have more questions about psychology in Calgary, or even Canada? Wondering what to expect from your first therapy session? If you haven’t found the answers yet, we’re happy to help with anything you need to know. All you have to do is reach out when you’re ready to talk!
Some people worry about asking for help because there can be stigma around mental health problems. They may believe that asking for help means admitting that something is wrong. Some people worry about how others might see them. Asking for help means that you want to make changes or take steps towards your new health goals. We should celebrate the courage it takes to speak up and make changes. Getting help is part of recovery.
Recovery can mean many different things. Some people see recovery as going back to their daily life before signs of a health problem. Other people see recovery as learning to live well, contributing to a community, and building relationships despite the challenge of a health problem. Recovery is a process or journey rather than a single end goal. A support team can help you on your way—no one should ever have to follow their journey entirely on their own. A team of carers and supports can guide you, provide help and assistance, celebrate your victories, and back you up when you need it.
Building your team
The first steps may be the toughest, but knowing where to look for help is a good start. Here are good places to begin building your team:
- Talk with supportive friends and family. Share your feelings with them and let them be part of your team.
- Talk to your family doctor. They are a great resource and can link you to other professionals, if needed.
- Connect with community mental health clinics or organizations like the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) for information, support, and services.
- Call a help line. Some organizations also offer support online or through text messaging.
- Learn more about mental health. You can find useful books, websites, and other resources through your provincial or territorial government and community agencies.
- Connect with others who have personal experience with a mental illness and learn more about their recovery journey.
- Attend workshops and education sessions hosted at community centres, agencies, schools, colleges or universities.
- Talk with a member or leader you trust from your faith or cultural group.
Members of the team
The exact people on your support team will depend on your situation and your goals, but most teams include some combination of the following people.
Family doctor
Your family doctor will assess your needs, rule out other causes, work with you to plan a course of action, support you in selecting other team members, and monitor progress. Some service providers, like psychiatrists, can only be accessed through a family doctor. This process is called a referral.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with a specialty in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. They can prescribe medication and use counselling to support recovery. You usually need a referral from your family doctor to see a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists’ fees are covered by provincial and territorial health plans.
Psychologist
Psychologists are trained to assess, diagnose and treat mental health problems and disorders. They hold a masters or doctoral degree in psychology and usually within a specific specialty area or areas like clinical psychology or clinical neuropsychology. A psychologist cannot prescribe medications. Their expertise includes psychological testing and assessment of emotional and cognitive functions, the diagnosis of emotional and cognitive disorders and the use of evidence-based psychological treatments and psychotherapies. When a psychologist is employed by a public institution like a hospital, school or correctional facility, their services are covered by the public health system. When a psychologist practices in the community, however, their services are typically not covered by public health insurance plans. However, they are usually covered by an extended health insurance plan you may have through work. You can make an appointment with a psychologist in the community on your own without a doctor’s referral. To find a psychologists in your area go to www.cpa.ca/public/findingapsychologist.
Counsellors
Registered or certified counsellors (such as a Registered Professional Counsellor or Registered Clinical Counsellor) are trained to assess mental health problems and use different counselling or other methods. This often includes teaching different skills to help improve well-being. Counsellors are not medical doctors and can’t prescribe medications. You can make an appointment with a counsellor on your own—you don’t need a doctor’s referral. A counsellor’s fees are not covered under all provincial or territorial health plans. Ask your private insurance company or workplace benefits provider if they cover services provided by a counsellor.
Psychologist and CounsellorR
Psychologists and registered or certified counsellors (such as a Registered Professional Counsellor or Registered Clinical Counsellor) are trained to assess mental health problems and use different counselling or other methods. This often includes teaching different skills to help improve well-being. Psychologists and counsellors are not medical doctors and can’t prescribe medications. Provinces have laws that regulate the standard of care that psychologists offer. Counsellors may choose to join a professional organization with its own standards of care, though these groups are not regulated by laws in all provinces. You can make an appointment with a psychologist or counsellor on your own. Fees are not covered under all provincial or territorial health plans, so ask your insurance or benefits provider if they cover the costs.
Other mental health professionals
There are many different mental health professionals who can assist you with your recovery process and support your goals. If you’re seeing a care provider, they may suggest that you team up with other mental health professionals such as a nurse, social worker, or occupational therapist. You may also be able to access these professionals privately. Some fees may not be covered by your provincial or territorial health plan, so ask about costs and coverage when you make your appointments.
Community health organizations
Community mental health organizations, such as the Canadian Mental Health Association, can help you find resources and offer many different programs that may also be of benefit to you. To find a CMHA branch in your community, visit our website at www.cmha.ca.
Support groups and peer supporters
Support groups are a safe place to share your experiences, learn from others, and connect with people who understand what you’re going through. Some support groups are formal groups led by a mental health professional, while others are more casual groups of peers. You can find support groups through members of your support team and through community health organizations.
Peer supporters are trained to provide support and understanding, help people navigate the mental health system, link people with community services, and support work towards personal goals. Peer supporters are people who have experiences of mental illness or support a loved one.
Other community services
Sometimes, we need extra help with day-to-day activities like housekeeping, meal preparation, driving to appointments or filling out forms for housing or income support. Community organizations can offer different kinds of practical support, such as meal delivery, transportation, home care, and advocacy. You can find these services through members of your support team, community organizations, and your provincial or territorial health services network. Some services have fees and some services are based on certain criteria. If you aren’t sure who to call, contact your local CMHA branch to find services in your area.
How can I help a loved one?
Loved ones can play an important role in helping someone choose the best options for their situation. You can offer both emotional support and a lot of important practical help, like scheduling appointments or finding services. You can also be key in helping monitor early changes in a loved one’s well-being, including both setbacks and improvements.
It’s important to respect your loved one’s wishes, even if you don’t agree with their choices. Forcing someone to choose a particular treatment or service provider can damage relationships and make things harder for everyone. If a loved one is an adult, they have the right to choose their own care and the right to privacy in most situations. Be aware that, in most cases, service providers have a legal obligation to protect personal treatment information. However, your loved one can let their care team share some or all of the information with you.
If you are supporting a loved one, you may also find some services helpful for you. There are support groups to help loved ones cope with challenges and connect with others, and community services like home care can offer a lot of practical help at home.
Do you need more help?
Contact a community organization like the Canadian Mental Health Association to learn more about support and resources in your area.
Founded in 1918, The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA helps people access the community resources they need to build resilience and support recovery from mental illness.
