So what’s the difference between each profession?

The main differences between each type of mental health professional/psychotherapist pertains to their education, training, and scope of practice. In Ontario, only psychologists, physicians (e.g., family doctors, psychiatrists), and nurse practitioners, can communicate mental health diagnoses.

PSYCHOLOGISTS are trained in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions. Training usually involves Master’s and Doctoral degrees in psychology, where there’s a focus on both clinical training and research. During graduate school, most students accrue over 1000 hours of clinical experience through practicum placements and another 1500 hours of experience during their clinical residency. Psychologists then complete an additional year of supervised practice before becoming fully licensed. Psychologists, unlike other mental health professionals, must obtain specific training and prove competency with the demographic groups they intend to work with (e.g., Child Psychologist, Adolescent Psychologist, Adult Psychologist, Family Psychologist).

PSYCHOTHERAPISTS (including registered social workers) are trained to provide talk-based therapy, intended to help people improve and maintain their mental health and well-being. Training for “Psychotherapists” usually involves a Master’s degree in psychology, psychotherapy, counselling, or a related field such as social work as well as clinical supervision and attendance at various workshops for specific treatment modalities/conditions. Registered Psychotherapists as well as nurses, social workers and occupational therapists (OTs) who have received clinical training in psychotherapy can refer to themselves as “psychotherapists.”

PSYCHIATRISTS are medical doctors with specialized training in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions. Some psychiatrists provide treatment in the form of talk-therapy, but the main differentiator is their ability to provide pharmacological intervention (i.e., to prescribe medications).