Unpacking Our Titles: Breaking Down the Difference Between Psychotherapists, Counsellors, Psychologists, and Psychiatrists.

What we do (and what we don’t).

At Dr. South and Assoc. we are a team of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers providing psychotherapy to our clients under the supervision of Registered Psychologist Dr. Virginia South. But what does all this mean? In this article, we will break down the differences and similarities for you. 

Psychotherapists, Counsellors, Psychologists, and Psychiatrists are all mental health professionals who provide vital, often life-saving services to their clients and community. They meet with clients 1-1 to help them work through whatever mental health challenges they are facing. But how they train for their roles and how they help their clients can be vastly different. 

Psychotherapists

Psychotherapists are regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. They are educated in a number of fields but often study psychology and social sciences before becoming therapists. To be authorized to work in Ontario (even for therapists who reside elsewhere and provide virtual services in Ontario) Psychotherapists are required to carry registration with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. To obtain their registration, Psychotherapists must have a Master-level education, be supervised for 110 clinical hours, complete 450 hours of direct client work and write a test prior to receiving their Registered Psychotherapist designation.

Social Workers

Registered Social Workers are also able to call themselves Psychotherapists and practice psychotherapy buy only under specific circumstances; however, most use the term “counsellor” or “clinical social worker” instead. They are not able to use the term Registered Psychotherapist if they are not registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. In Ontario, Registered Social Workers are registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. A Registered Social Worker may have either a Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Social Work or may have a related degree and a certain number of practice hours in the field of social work to obtain the title of Registered Social Worker. A Registered Social Worker is able to practice as a counsellor/ psychotherapist without any additional training in counselling and therapeutic modalities so it is always important to know who you are receiving mental health services from and what their practical experience in counselling is. 

Psychologists

A Psychologist is a Doctoral-level practitioner. Their education far exceeds most other mental health practitioners and a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) may spend up to ten years pursuing their education on the human mind and mental health, which includes a residency prior to their designation. In Canada, Psychologists are registered with the Canadian Psychological Association. Psychologists are qualified to assess and diagnose mental health conditions and work alongside a client’s medical team to support their mental health and well-being by providing psychotherapy and mental healthcare support. Many psychologists have studied in specific fields and specialize in assessing and treating specific populations such as educational psychology, child psychology, 2SLGBTQIA+ and transitioning, forensic psychology and more.

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are medical doctors (M.D) who go through medical school and residency with a specialization in psychiatry. They are trained to not only assess and diagnose mental health conditions but also prescribe medication to treat mental illness. Psychiatrists may also perform psychotherapy. 

It is always important to do your homework and know who you are going to see for therapy before your first visit. Many psychotherapists, like those at Dr. Virginia South & Associates Professional Psychology, have additional training and certification in a variety of treatment modalities and continue to receive supervision to ensure they maintain a high standard of practice. If you are new to therapy or are unsure of where to start your counselling journey reach out to us for a free consultation and we can help answer any questions you might have.