Psychologist Vs Therapist Explained
Understand the key differences between psychologists and therapists in Australia for workplace wellbeing.
Download our guide to managing your teams mental health
TL;DR:
- "Therapist" isn't a protected title—anyone can use it. "Psychologist" requires 6+ years of training and AHPRA registration.
- Psychologists can diagnose mental health conditions. Counsellors and most psychotherapists provide support but can't diagnose.
- Medicare covers psychologists (with GP referral), not counsellors. But counsellors are often free through workplace EAPs.
- Always ask what qualifications someone has—it determines what they can legally do.
Getting the right mental health support matters. But when you're faced with titles like psychologist, psychotherapist, and counsellor, it's hard to know who does what.
This article breaks down what each role actually means, who can legally call themselves what, and how to pick the right person for your situation.
What Are the Main Types of Mental Health Professionals in Australia?
The terms psychologist, psychotherapist, counsellor, and therapist get used interchangeably, but they're not the same thing.
Psychologist
A psychologist has completed at least six years of university training and supervised practice. They're registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency), which means they're legally regulated and must meet specific standards.
Psychotherapist
Psychotherapists usually have postgraduate qualifications and focus on deeper, longer-term therapeutic work. They're not regulated by AHPRA, but may be registered with professional bodies like PACFA.
Counsellor
Counsellors typically have a diploma or degree in counselling. Registration is voluntary—they can choose to join bodies like PACFA, but they're not legally required to.
Therapist
This is a catch-all term that could refer to any of the above. It's not a protected title, so anyone can technically call themselves a therapist.
What's the Difference Between a Psychologist and a Therapist in Australia?
"Therapist" isn't a protected title—anyone can use it. That's why you need to check what someone's actual qualifications are.
Education and regulation
Psychologists must complete at least six years of government-accredited university training and register with the Psychology Board of Australia (part of AHPRA). This is legally required.
Counsellors and psychotherapists might have anything from a certificate to a doctorate, but their titles aren't protected by law. There's no mandatory training or registration.
What they can legally do
Psychologists can assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and eating disorders.
Counsellors provide emotional support and help with life challenges, but can't diagnose mental health disorders.
Psychotherapists vary. Some are also registered psychologists (so they can diagnose), but many aren't. If they're not a registered psychologist, they can provide therapeutic support but can't make formal diagnoses.
The bottom line: if someone calls themselves a "therapist," ask what their actual qualification is.
Are they a registered psychologist? A counsellor? A psychotherapist? This tells you what they're trained and legally allowed to do.
When Should You See a Psychologist vs Another Type of Therapist?
See a psychologist if you:
- Need a formal diagnosis for a mental health condition
- Want to access Medicare rebates (requires a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP)
- Have a clinical mental health issue like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or an eating disorder
- Need psychological testing or a detailed assessment
See a counsellor or psychotherapist if you:
- Want support for relationship issues, grief, or life transitions
- Need help with stress management or general wellbeing
- Don't require a formal diagnosis
- Are looking for emotional support rather than clinical treatment
For example, for short-term, focused support — like dealing with a difficult boss, navigating a redundancy, or managing work-life balance — a counsellor through an Employee Assistance Program can be more practical and cost-effective than seeing a psychologist. The issue doesn't need clinical diagnosis or long-term treatment; it just needs someone to help you work through it.
How Do Cost and Access Differ in Australia?
Psychologists
With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, Medicare rebates cover part of the cost—typically $96-$141 per session. Most psychologists charge more, so expect a gap payment of $50-$150+. Some bulk bill (no gap), but they're harder to find.
Wait times are often long—weeks to months—especially in regional areas.
Counsellors and psychotherapists
Sessions typically cost $100-$200+, with no Medicare rebate.
You might access them for free or low cost through:
- Employee Assistance Programs (3-6 free sessions)
- Community health services
- Workplace or university programs
Because they're not covered by Medicare, counsellors often have better availability and shorter wait times than psychologists.
What Should You Look for When Choosing a Mental Health Professional?
Check their credentials
For psychologists, verify registration at ahpra.gov.au. For counsellors and psychotherapists, look for PACFA or ACA membership—it shows they meet professional standards.
Match their experience to your needs
Ask: "How much experience do you have with [your issue]?" Make sure they've worked with your specific concern before.
Consider the basics
- Can they see you when you need (in-person or online)?
- Can you afford them (Medicare rebates, bulk billing, health insurance)?
- Do you feel comfortable and safe with them?
Trust your gut
If it doesn't feel right after a session or two, try someone else. The relationship matters as much as the credentials.
How Are These Professionals Regulated in Australia?
Psychologists
Legally regulated by AHPRA. Must register annually, complete 30 hours of professional development, and follow a code of ethics. If they breach standards, they can lose their registration.
Counsellors and psychotherapists
Not legally regulated. Registration with PACFA or ACA is voluntary and shows they meet professional standards, but it's not required by law.
Why it matters
With psychologists, you can lodge complaints with AHPRA. With counsellors and psychotherapists, accountability depends on whether they've chosen to register with a professional body.
FAQs
Are All Psychologists Therapists? Are All Therapists Psychologists?
While all psychologists can act as therapists, not all therapists are psychologists. This distinction is crucial in understanding who can diagnose or treat mental illnesses effectively.
Does a psychologist prescribe medication?
No, that’s the role of psychiatrists.
Can a therapist work with children?
Yes, if they have specialised training in child psychology and therapy.
Getting the Right Support
The key difference is simple: psychologists are legally regulated and can diagnose mental health conditions. Counsellors and psychotherapists aren't legally regulated, but can still provide valuable support for life challenges and emotional wellbeing.
When choosing someone, check their credentials, ask about their experience with your specific issue, and make sure you feel comfortable with them.
If you're dealing with work-related stress or challenges, talk to your employer about Employee Assistance Program (EAP) options. Most EAPs offer free, confidential counselling sessions — usually 3-6 per year — which can be perfect for immediate workplace issues without needing a formal diagnosis or Medicare referral.
Related Articles
Answers to the frequently asked questions.
Our last EAP was barely touched. Why would this be different?+
Most EAPs go unused because of how they're accessed, not because staff don't need them. Phoning a stranger, explaining yourself, then waiting weeks is enough to stop most people before they start. Foremind removes all three steps: staff see real counsellor profiles, pick someone themselves, and book the same day.
If you already have a provider, the question worth asking is what your current utilisation is. Most traditional EAPs sit in low single digits, which means you're paying for cover your people aren't reaching. If yours is being used, staff can get seen quickly, and it covers your psychosocial obligations, there's no reason to move. If not, it's worth knowing what you're getting for the spend.
Do you offer 24/7 support?+
Yes. A 24/7 after-hours crisis line means staff can reach someone immediately at any hour, including nights and weekends.
Counselling appointments are also available outside standard business hours, so shift-based and on-call teams aren't limited to a nine-to-five window. Those are two different things, and it's worth checking any provider offers both rather than just the crisis line.
Are your EAP counsellors based in Australia?+
Yes. Every practitioner on the platform holds current membership with an Australian professional body and practises under Australian standards, codes of ethics and disciplinary frameworks. There are no offshore call centres.
Practitioners hold membership with the Australian Counselling Association, the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, or the Australian Association of Social Workers, along with a current Working with Children or Vulnerable People Check.
How much does an EAP cost?+
Pricing is usually per employee per month, based on total headcount rather than how many people use the service. Costs vary widely depending on whether sessions are bundled in and whether compliance tooling is included.
A more useful comparison is cost per employee who actually uses it. An EAP with 2% utilisation can work out several times more expensive per person helped than one that gets used. Foremind offers pay-as-you-go, inclusive session plans and compliance-inclusive plans, with discounted pricing for not-for-profits and charities.
For full breakdown of our plans, see our EAP pricing page or request a quote for a tailored proposal.
What information does an employer receive about EAP usage?+
Nothing that could identify anyone. All counselling is completely confidential and all reporting is anonymous - you'll never see who booked, when, or what was discussed.
What you do see is the aggregated picture: how many people are using it, what psychosocial risks are prevalent in the business, and which teams are under pressure. Enough to know the investment is working and where to act, never enough to identify a person. Reporting thresholds mean small teams can't be reverse-engineered from the data.
Does having an EAP meet an employer's psychosocial duty of care?+
No. An EAP is a control measure, and a valuable one, but it only addresses harm after it has occurred. It doesn't identify hazards, assess risk, or evidence that controls are working.
Australian WHS law requires you to identify psychosocial hazards, assess the risk, control it so far as is reasonably practicable, and review whether those controls are working — with documented evidence at each step. Offering counselling on its own leaves three of those four steps undocumented.
Foremind covers both in one platform. See how the compliance side works in our product tour.