What is the Difference Between a Psychologist & a Psychotherapist?
They both perform the act of psychotherapy with clients. They are governed by separate colleges. The college of registered psychotherapists and the college of psychologists. Psychologists diagnose clients whereas a psychotherapist does not. Diagnosing helps to provide a common language to describe and discuss certain presenting problems. It’s very helpful with certain problems such as learning disabilities A.D.D. or A.D.H.D. For example. In my experience most people do not fit properly into the diagnostic categories. Personally, I don’t like clients labeling themselves as the danger is they might start to define themselves that way and believe that’s who they are or how/who they always will be. As you can imagine this could potentially get in the way of the therapeutic change cycle.