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Psychologist or Psychiatrist |
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Psychologists and Psychiatrists are different.
While there can be considerable overlap in their areas of work, Psychiatrists are Doctors (Medical Practitioners) who primarily look after people who have (often, psychotic) mental illnesses such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder etc., and they are Specialists in the use of psychotropic medications.
Psychologists, on the other hand, counsel, and offer therapy to, people who have problems such as anxiety, stress, depression, phobias etc. These are emotional and behavioural problems experienced by people in the more general population, and they are problems that Psychologists may often be best trained and equipped to help remedy. |
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When should I consult a Psychologist |
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People consult psychologists for many reasons including :
- Marital and family problems
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Panic attacks
- Stress and tension
- Sexual difficulties
- Sleep difficulties
- Trauma
- Unresolved grief
- Fears and phobias
- Shyness
- Pain problems
- Eating and weight problems
- Smoking
- Drugs and addictions
- Children's learning, behaviour management
- Coming to terms with divorce
- Disability issues
- Migraine and headaches
- Hypertension
- Child bedwetting and tantrums
Information on a wide range of psychological disorders
- From Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety And Depression
People also consult psychologists to improve areas in their life, to make good relationships better, to learn how to become better parent, for personal growth and career planning, to improve sports performance, and other areas of achievement in personal potential. |
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How is treatment conducted? |
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Psychologists may choose from many appropriate treatment methods one that best suits client's needs personality and circumstances.
Psychologists often use techniques of interviewing and clinical testing to clearly identify the nature and the extent of problems and to decide on the best form of treatment.
Your psychologist should be able to tell you an approximate length of time you need to be in therapy for successful outcome.
For Membership, Training and Qualifications please click this link.
For Cost of treatment please click this link. |
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The Institute publishes reference-fee guidelines for members. Psychology fees are time based.
The 2010-2011 reference-fee for one hour is $212.00, and this is reviewed annually.
Each member of the IPPP sets their own fee, based on actual costs of their own practice. Each practitioner will discuss the fees with you prior to the consultation. |
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If you consult a psychologist you may be eligible for insurance rebate under :
- Private Health Insurance Table – see your private health fund for current list of rebates
- Medicare - see the Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative
- Employee Assistance Schemes - sponsored by many of the larger employers.
- Third Party Compensation Plans
Rebate varies between different insurance companies/agencies. |
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Your Rights and Confidentiality |
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Members of the Institute are bound by strict professional requirements to maintain clients confidentiality.
The provisions of the Federal Privacy Legislation and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
also apply. |
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All Psychologists must be legally qualified to practice.
They must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia .
The Institute of Private Practising Psychologists (IPPP) is a body of Psychologists in full-time practice and associates in part-time practice.
The Institute exists to maintain high standards of professional practice and competence and requires members to adhere to strict professional code of ethics. |
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Training and Qualifications |
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Many members of the IPPP have obtained additional higher qualifications, beyond that which is required for professional registration as a psychologist, including training in hypnotherapy and other clinical techniques.
Members of the Institute are required to maintain continuing professional development, and many members have completed the IPPP Competency Training.
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This section contains useful and/or interesting resources for the reader.
More items will be added in due course.
Link to the current issue of the Psychology Today magazine: click here
Emergency Resources:
Lifeline: Telephone 13 11 14
ACIS (Assessment & Crisis Intervention Service): Telephone 13 14 65
BeyondBlue: Telephone 1300 22 46 36 ... or click here. |
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