What is a Psychologist?
What is the difference between Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Counsellors?
Should I be seeing a Psychologist?
What do Psychologists do?
How do I find a psychologist or psychological associate?
Who pays for the services of a psychologist?
How do I know if a Psychologist is right for me?
Who do I contact if I am in a crisis?
What are the educational requirements to become a Registered Psychologist?
How do I become a member or an affiliate of BCPA?
How do I locate an individual psychologist?

Psychologists see people of all ages and may work with people individually, as a couple or a family. Psychologists also work with groups, organizations, companies and government agencies. Many psychologists only provide psychological treatment; however, some can provide both treatment and assessment services, while others provide only specialized assessment services.

Some of the specialized areas in which psychologists work are:

• Clinical and Counselling Psychology - behavioural, emotional, personality and relationship issues.
• Educational Psychology - concerns and disabilities related to learning and the education system
• Neuropsychology - dysfunctions associated with the brain and central nervous system.
• Rehabilitation Psychology - behavioural and emotional issues associated with physical disabilities.
• Child Psychology - behavioural, emotional and other related issues of childhood and adolescence.
• Gerontological Psychology - behavioural, emotional and other issues associated with aging.
• Forensic Psychology - issues associated with the criminal behaviour and the justice system.
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology - personnel selection and training, work and job design, staff development, managing organizational change, consumer behaviour, relocation counselling.

Psychological Treatment

Within the above areas, psychologists typically work in treatment, assessment and consultative roles. If you are participating in psychological treatment, a session with a psychologist typically lasts about 50 minutes, but may vary depending on the individual psychologist, your needs, and the kind of activity being done.

During the treatment session the psychologist works to help you better understand your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and find healthy solutions to problems. Special procedures or techniques may be used, depending on the psychologist's training and theoretical orientation. Psychological testing may be done to provide additional information.

Psychological treatment may take place over a very short period of time or over a lengthy period of time depending on your individual needs and preferences and the problem being addressed.

Psychological Assessment

If you, your child, or your family is having an assessment done, the psychologist will advise you as to how much time your particular assessment is likely to take. It could be as little as a couple of hours, or could take place over two or more days, depending on the complexity of the issue, the number of people interviewed and the ability of those tested to attend to tasks for lengthy periods of time. At the end of the assessment the psychologist will write a comprehensive report.

Consultation

Psychologists also provide opinions for government bodies, the private sector and individuals. These opinions may pertain to providing psychotherapy funding, supporting disability claims or providing opinions in a variety of settings. If you need such a report, ask your psychologist about the cost involved.