Common questions about clinical psychology
How do clinical psychologists help people?
Clinical psychologists aim to reduce psychological distress and to enhance and promote psychological well-being. There are many areas of life where a clinical psychologist can help, including helping people manage anxiety, depression, health conditions such as cancer or chronic pain and assisting people who have difficulties in maintaining relationships. Whatever the problem, clinical psychologists will consider what scientific research says about its probable cause and what will be likely to help. This would include seeing the person for a number of sessions to provide psychological therapy or giving advice on how to manage the difficulties that are being experienced.
What training do clinical psychologists have?
Clinical psychologists are trained by the health service, just like doctors and nurses. During their training they gain experience in a wide range of settings (hospitals, GP practices, community health centres) and with a wide range of client groups (adults, children, older adults, people with learning disabilities). Qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist requires a minimum of 6 years of full-time university study (3 years undergraduate degree and 3 years postgraduate doctorate). After undergraduate study, several years of clinical or academic experience is required before gaining a place on a clinical psychology training course. For example, working as an assistant psychologist or undertaking further study at Master’s degree. It therefore usually a minimum of eight years to qualify as a clinical psychologist, and the qualification that Registered clinical psychologists obtain is a doctorate in clinical psychology. Doctoral training involves a combination of academic study, clinical work within the health service and the completion of a research thesis.
What is the difference between a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist?
Clinical psychologists and psychiatrists often work in the same clinics and see people with similar problems, but there is a clear difference in their key role. Psychologists are trained to assess and understand an individual’s current difficulties by drawing on psychological theories and research about: early childhood experiences; learning; developmental processes; behaviour; mind-body interaction; cognitive patterns; belief systems and systemic, social and environmental factors. Psychologists work therapeutically with clients using a range of orientations and ‘talking therapies’ and they may evaluate cognitive functioning using standardised assessments; they cannot prescribe medication.
A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has chosen to specialise in mental health. Psychiatrists are interested in the biological manifestations of emotional difficulties and they may diagnose ‘disorders’ and prescribe medication. Psychiatrists consider what the science of medicine tells them about how to help with the problem. For example, if you are depressed a psychiatrist is best placed to help you think about whether a biological treatment like antidepressant drugs may help.
Do clinical psychologists meet with children on their own?
The decision to meet with children and/or parents will depend on the difficulties being experienced. In many instances parents wish to be seen on their own to discuss ways of managing their child's behaviour, ideas to improve their relationship with their child and to support their emotional development, or to avail of space to explore their own feelings in relation to their child, or the family situation. If parents wish their child to be seen by Katherine, the nature of these sessions usually depends on the child's age. For younger children sessions usually take place with parents present as younger children often feel more comfortable and secure knowing their parents are nearby. It also allows parents to gain a good understanding of the issues discussed and the strategies learnt to help with these issues. With older children and teenagers it will usually be left up to the child to decide whether or not their parents stay or leave the room for the duration of the session. Many young people find it easier to discuss their worries and problems in private, however, others feel more comfortable with their parents staying in the room, observing quietly. Either way, sessions are usually one hour long and start with all the members of the family that have come to the session and conclude with time for brief feedback to parents (if present) - what is fed back will be agreed with the young person before their parents return. This feedback time is really important for ensuring communication is as open as possible within the family and helps parents to feel involved and to support their child on their therapeutic journey. Additionally, in many instances and for many presenting difficulties, a whole-family approach is more helpful in order to facilitate open communication and to help family members to develop new ways of relating to each other which they can then build on between sessions. The form that sessions take will be discussed with families at their first consultation and may vary over the course of therapy.
How much do clinical psychology sessions cost?
Fees for sessions are €90. Please contact me to discuss any questions you have about cost or payment.
Clinical psychologists aim to reduce psychological distress and to enhance and promote psychological well-being. There are many areas of life where a clinical psychologist can help, including helping people manage anxiety, depression, health conditions such as cancer or chronic pain and assisting people who have difficulties in maintaining relationships. Whatever the problem, clinical psychologists will consider what scientific research says about its probable cause and what will be likely to help. This would include seeing the person for a number of sessions to provide psychological therapy or giving advice on how to manage the difficulties that are being experienced.
What training do clinical psychologists have?
Clinical psychologists are trained by the health service, just like doctors and nurses. During their training they gain experience in a wide range of settings (hospitals, GP practices, community health centres) and with a wide range of client groups (adults, children, older adults, people with learning disabilities). Qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist requires a minimum of 6 years of full-time university study (3 years undergraduate degree and 3 years postgraduate doctorate). After undergraduate study, several years of clinical or academic experience is required before gaining a place on a clinical psychology training course. For example, working as an assistant psychologist or undertaking further study at Master’s degree. It therefore usually a minimum of eight years to qualify as a clinical psychologist, and the qualification that Registered clinical psychologists obtain is a doctorate in clinical psychology. Doctoral training involves a combination of academic study, clinical work within the health service and the completion of a research thesis.
What is the difference between a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist?
Clinical psychologists and psychiatrists often work in the same clinics and see people with similar problems, but there is a clear difference in their key role. Psychologists are trained to assess and understand an individual’s current difficulties by drawing on psychological theories and research about: early childhood experiences; learning; developmental processes; behaviour; mind-body interaction; cognitive patterns; belief systems and systemic, social and environmental factors. Psychologists work therapeutically with clients using a range of orientations and ‘talking therapies’ and they may evaluate cognitive functioning using standardised assessments; they cannot prescribe medication.
A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has chosen to specialise in mental health. Psychiatrists are interested in the biological manifestations of emotional difficulties and they may diagnose ‘disorders’ and prescribe medication. Psychiatrists consider what the science of medicine tells them about how to help with the problem. For example, if you are depressed a psychiatrist is best placed to help you think about whether a biological treatment like antidepressant drugs may help.
Do clinical psychologists meet with children on their own?
The decision to meet with children and/or parents will depend on the difficulties being experienced. In many instances parents wish to be seen on their own to discuss ways of managing their child's behaviour, ideas to improve their relationship with their child and to support their emotional development, or to avail of space to explore their own feelings in relation to their child, or the family situation. If parents wish their child to be seen by Katherine, the nature of these sessions usually depends on the child's age. For younger children sessions usually take place with parents present as younger children often feel more comfortable and secure knowing their parents are nearby. It also allows parents to gain a good understanding of the issues discussed and the strategies learnt to help with these issues. With older children and teenagers it will usually be left up to the child to decide whether or not their parents stay or leave the room for the duration of the session. Many young people find it easier to discuss their worries and problems in private, however, others feel more comfortable with their parents staying in the room, observing quietly. Either way, sessions are usually one hour long and start with all the members of the family that have come to the session and conclude with time for brief feedback to parents (if present) - what is fed back will be agreed with the young person before their parents return. This feedback time is really important for ensuring communication is as open as possible within the family and helps parents to feel involved and to support their child on their therapeutic journey. Additionally, in many instances and for many presenting difficulties, a whole-family approach is more helpful in order to facilitate open communication and to help family members to develop new ways of relating to each other which they can then build on between sessions. The form that sessions take will be discussed with families at their first consultation and may vary over the course of therapy.
How much do clinical psychology sessions cost?
Fees for sessions are €90. Please contact me to discuss any questions you have about cost or payment.
