When you have ever researched a career in the field of mental health or otherwise sought the help of a professional, you must have encountered such terms as psychologist, counselling psychologist, and clinical psychologist, to name a few. To a great number of individuals, these terms appear synonymous and hence cause confusion.
The most popular question that comes to mind, particularly when posed by students and future mental health professionals, is:
How does a counselling psychologist differ from a psychologist?
It is significant to understand this difference, whether an individual wants to undergo therapy or an individual who intends to practice psychotherapy in India. Although the two roles are in the field of psychology, their training, area of concentration, and professional roles have significant differences.
Let us break this down into a practical, easy, and understandable manner.
Understanding the Term “Psychologist”
A psychologist is, in fact, a term that is a general umbrella term. Any person who takes the scientific approach in the study of human behaviour, thoughts, feelings, and mental processes is a psychologist. Psychologists can be employed in different environments such as hospitals, schools, corporate organisations, research institutions, and in private practice.
Not every psychologist, however, is of the same kind of work. Some are research-oriented, others are on teaching, and others are on mental health support. This is where specialisations are involved.
In India, psychologists may also designate individuals with alternative education and expertise. This is why one should not take the title at face value and know the exact job.
Who Is a Counselling Psychologist?
A counselling psychologist refers to a mental health practitioner who concerns himself or herself mainly with assisting people to overcome emotional, social as well and psychological difficulties, especially those connected with daily life. Some of the problems that they can deal with in their work include stress, anxiety, relationship problems, self-esteem, career, grief, and personal development.
Counselling psychologists are equipped to assist individuals to comprehend their feelings, become better copers, and feel better about themselves. They tend to be client-centred, supportive, and emphasize resilience development as opposed to diagnosing serious mental conditions.
The services of counselling psychologists in the Indian environment are typically received in schools, colleges, the corporate world, counselling centres, NGO, and in independent practice. They are important in preventive mental health care and emotional support.
Educational Path: How Their Training Differs
Educational training and specialisation are also one of key distinctions between a counselling psychologist and a psychologist.
In India, one will usually require a Master’s degree and a Bachelor’s degree in psychology to become one. Having said that, the route varies depending on the specialisation taken.
The training undertaken by counselling psychologists focuses on the skills of therapists, counselling methods, emotional evaluation, and communication with clients. Their training is based on communication, empathy, ethical practice, and psychological intervention on the common mental health issues.
Other psychologists, including research psychologists or organisational psychologists, might concentrate more on data analysis, testing, behavioural research, or workplace behaviour instead of direct counselling.
Nature of Work: What Do They Actually Do?
The work of a counselling psychologist is based on people and the experiences they lead every day. A significant portion of their time is devoted to listening, deciphering emotional patterns, and assisting the clients to overcome individual problems.
Sessions frequently focus on the discovery of thoughts and feelings, unhealthy patterns, and the collaborative search for healthier coping methods. The role of counselling psychologists is to empower the clients and not to fix them.
Conversely, general psychologists can or can not deal directly with clients. There are those psychologists who research, instruct in academic psychology, create psychological tests, or undertake work in organisations. They may not interact well with people as counselling psychologists do, or organize their interaction differently.
Types of Issues They Address
The counselling psychologists generally deal with people who are in distress emotionally, but are still able to perform in their day-to-day lives. These issues are academic pressure, work burnout, relationship problems, identity problems, and emotional control problems.
Other specialisations may have their psychologists concerned with more general or disparate issues. Clinical psychologists, on the other hand, deal with severe mental illnesses as compared to industrial-organisational psychologists who deal with behavioural and performance at work.
The significance of this difference is that it defines the kind of training to be administered and the professional limits of each position.
Approach to Therapy and Support
The therapeutic approaches that are normally applied by counselling psychologists are supportive, insight-oriented, and growth-focused. They aim to assist the clients in developing self-awareness, emotional strength, and enhancing satisfaction in life.
They usually operate under the structures of cognitive-behavioural, person-centred, solution-focused, and mindfulness-based therapies. It is focused on cooperation and emotional intelligence.
There is no guarantee that psychologists working in a non-therapeutic capacity will be involved in therapy. Even the ones that do provide therapy, like clinical psychologists, tend to operate in a medical or diagnostic model.
Work Settings in India
Counselling psychologists are becoming common in schools, corporate wellness initiatives in India, mental health centers, and online counselling services. Their importance is greater than at any time as the awareness of emotional well-being spreads.
Other specialisation psychologists can be employed in universities, research facilities, human resources, policy-making organisations, or health care facilities based on their training.
The nature of the work and the kind of population served are commonly manifested in the work environment.
Which Path Should You Choose?
In case you are interested in working with people, listening to their stories, and helping them to feel better, counselling psychology can be the field that is right field to be chosen. It particularly fits well with people who appreciate empathy, communication, and personal connection.
Other psychology specialisations can suit you better in case you are interested in research, data, teaching, or organisational behaviour.
To people seeking a systematic and practicable introduction into the mental health profession, taking a professional Counselling psychology course equips them with the skills and the training of ethical standards to effectively deal with people.
Career Scope and Growth
These two tracks present good career alternatives, but the type of development is varied. The psychologists who practise in counselling are usually steered into a career in private practice, institutional practice, or online counselling. They can also graduate to training, supervision, or specialised therapeutic work with experience.
Other fields of psychology might advance as an academic, research leader, or organisational consultant.
The number of trained counselling psychologists is likely to rise tremendously as the level of mental health awareness in India is on the rise.
Final Thoughts
It is not a matter of importance between a counselling psychologist and a psychologist- it is about focus. Counselling psychologists deal with emotional support, personal development, and mental health in general on a daily basis, whereas psychologists as a larger group encompass numerous professional areas.
The knowledge of this difference will guide you to make sound selections, either when you are in need of therapy or as a future psychologist.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the main difference between a counselling psychologist and a psychologist?
A counselling psychologist focuses on emotional well-being and everyday mental health challenges, while the term psychologist includes multiple specialisations such as research, clinical, and organisational psychology.
Can a counselling psychologist be called a psychologist in India?
Yes, counselling psychologists are psychologists with specialised training in counselling and therapeutic interventions.
Do counselling psychologists treat mental illness?
Counselling psychologists typically work with mild to moderate emotional and psychological concerns rather than severe mental disorders.
What qualification is needed to become a counselling psychologist in India?
A bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology, followed by specialised training through a Counselling psychology course, is commonly required.
Is counselling psychology a good career option in India?
Yes, with growing mental health awareness, counselling psychology offers strong career opportunities in education, healthcare, corporate wellness, and private practice.