Psychologists fall into different subtypes. At Better Self Psychology in Adelaide, we employ registered psychologists, clinical psychologists, provisional psychologists, psychologists who specialise in children, and a soon-to-be sports psychologist.
Registered vs. Clinical Psychologists
Both registered and clinical psychologists have undertaken extensive training to assist with a variety of mental health concerns.
The differences? A registered psychologist is somebody who has completed a four-year university degree and has obtained either a post-graduate university degree or completed an equivalent of two years of supervised practical training to obtain registration as a psychologist. Both Ksenia and Caitlin are registered psychologists.
On the other hand, a clinical psychologist has completed a six-year university degree and undertaken an equivalent of two years of supervised practical training. Our team of clinical psychologists include Tristan, Tamika, Rebecca and Kate. Ksenia is a clinical psychology registrar (meaning she is completing her two years of supervised practical training to become clinical).
You can learn more about our psychology team here >
All psychologists, Registered and Clinical must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and meet high standards in education, training, along with ongoing learning and development.
How do Clinical Psychologists differ from a Provisional Psychologists?
A provisional psychologist is somebody who is currently in-training to become a fully registered psychologist (we’re on our “P plates,” if you will!). For the most part, we can assist with the same concerns as a registered or clinical psychologist, but we receive supervision while we are doing so.
Guillermo and Will at Better Self are our resident provisional psychologists, despite their differences in how they got here! Guillermo trained to become a psychologist over in Spain, and he is now completing additional training to gain registration in Australia. Will, on the other hand, is currently completing his post-graduate psychology degree.
Some of our psychologists specialise in working with children too
When working with children, psychologists use play-based therapy to assist with separation anxiety, learning difficulties, social skills, behaviour management and emotional regulation. Another key role of a psychologist who works with children is working alongside parents to support children with their big emotions and sometimes their big behaviours!
Our role with the little ones is to help them safely share their experiences, teach them new skills and help them develop confidence in their abilities. Tamika and Rebecca work with children.
And lastly, what is a Sports Psychologist?
A sports psychologist is a professional that uses psychological knowledge to help improve athletic performance and wellbeing. As sports psychologists, we use various therapy tools to assist athletes, coaches and parents with sports-related concerns, including motivation, anxiety and depression, athletic injury and transitions in and out of participating in sport. We typically take a cognitive-behavioural approach to therapy, meaning that we focus on how your thoughts and actions impact your life as an athlete. Will is currently undertaking a Master of Psychology (Sport and Exercise). After this, he plans to undertake the two years of supervised practical training necessary to become a registered sports psychologist!
Feel free to call Better Self on 8432 0007, and we can have a chat to figure out how we can help.
You can also learn more about what to expect on your first visit to a Psychologist here >
