Clinical Psychologist
Assessment, diagnosis and psychological treatment of mental health difficulties across the lifespan.
They commonly help with
- Depression and anxiety
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress
- Diagnosed mental health conditions
- Complex or long-standing difficulties
- Psychological assessment and diagnosis
What they cannot do
- Cannot prescribe medication — that is a psychiatrist or medical doctor.
Often confused with
Counselling Psychologist
Clinical work more often centres on diagnosable mental health conditions and more complex presentations; Counselling more often on life difficulties, adjustment and wellbeing. In practice the two overlap considerably.
Learn more about Counselling PsychologistsPsychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication. A Clinical Psychologist provides assessment and psychological treatment, and does not prescribe.
Registered Counsellor
A Registered Counsellor provides supportive counselling and short-term intervention, and does not diagnose or treat serious mental illness.
Learn more about Registered CounsellorsWhere they usually work
Private practice · Hospitals · Clinics · Universities
Checking a registration
Every professional listed here shows their HPCSA registration number. You can verify any registration independently against the HPCSA register — we encourage it.