Ирина Архипова – English for Psychotherapy and Counselling: Handbook for Practitioners. Английский для психотерапии и консультирования: практическое руководство (страница 2)
• Специалисты по ментальному здоровью в международных организациях
UNIT 1.
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOTHERAPY
LEAD-IN:
Mental Health Professionals and Their Roles
Activity 1: What Do You Know?
Look at the list of mental health professionals below and think about the questions:
Mental health professionals:
• Clinical psychologist
• Psychiatrist
• Counselling psychologist
• Psychotherapist
Think about:
• What do you know about each professional? What do they do?
• How are they different? (education, methods, types of problems)
• Which specialist would you recommend for: anxiety, depression, relationship issues, serious mental illness?
Activity 2: Vocabulary brainstorm
Work in small groups. You have 3 minutes to write down as many words as you can related to mental health and therapy.
Example: therapy, counselling, treatment, session, assessment, diagnosis…
Activity 3: Discussion questions
Discuss these questions with your partner:
1. What comes to mind when you hear the word “psychotherapy”?
2. Do you think psychotherapy is different from psychology? How?
3. What do psychotherapists do?
4. What is the difference between a clinical psychologist and other psychologists?
5. Why do people go to therapy?
6. Are there different types of psychotherapy? What do you know about them?
Key vocabulary for this unit:
Match the words with their definitions:
1. Psychology
2. Counselling
3. Psychotherapy
4. Psychiatry
5. Mental health
6. Clinical psychology
a) Medical specialty dealing with diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders
b) The scientific study of the mind and behaviour
c) Treatment using psychological methods through regular interaction
d) Professional guidance to help people cope with specific problems
e) A person’s condition regarding their psychological and emotional well-being
f) Branch of psychology focused on assessment and treatment of mental health disorders
READING:
Mental Health Professionals: Who Does What?
Pre-reading task
Before you read, discuss:
1. What do you think is the main difference between these four professions?
2. What does a clinical psychologist do that other psychologists might not do?
3. Which profession requires medical training?
4. Which focuses on short-term problems?
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Mental Health Professionals: Who Does What?
When people experience emotional difficulties, mental health problems, or simply want to understand themselves better, they often wonder: “Who should I see?” The field of mental health includes several types of professionals, and while their work overlaps, there are important distinctions between them.
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind, behaviour, and mental processes. Psychologists are trained professionals who typically hold a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology. They use evidence-based methods to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions. Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists in most countries do not prescribe medication; instead, they focus on psychological interventions and therapy.
Clinical Psychology is a specialized branch of psychology that focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders and psychological distress. Clinical psychologists work with individuals, couples, families, and groups to address a wide range of psychological issues, from mild adjustment problems to severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression.
What makes clinical psychologists unique is their extensive training in psychological assessment. They are skilled in using various assessment tools, including clinical interviews, behavioural observations, and standardized psychometric tests. A clinical psychologist conducts comprehensive psychological evaluations to understand the nature and severity of a client’s difficulties, considering biological, psychological, and social factors.
Clinical psychologists provide evidence-based psychological therapies and interventions. They work in diverse settings including hospitals, mental health clinics, rehabilitation centers, private practices, universities, and research institutions. Many clinical psychologists also conduct research to develop new treatments and improve existing interventions. Additionally, they often supervise other mental health professionals and contribute to training programs.
The work of a clinical psychologist typically involves:
• Conducting detailed psychological assessments and diagnostic evaluations
• Developing individualized treatment plans based on assessment findings
• Providing various forms of psychotherapy (CBT, psychodynamic, family therapy, etc.)
• Monitoring client progress and adjusting treatment as needed
• Working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals
• Conducting applied research and contributing to evidence-based practice
• Providing clinical supervision to trainees and other professionals
Counselling Psychology is another branch of psychology that shares some similarities with clinical psychology but has a different focus. Counselling psychologists typically work with clients experiencing less severe psychological distress and focus more on personal development, life transitions, and adjustment issues. While clinical psychologists often work with severe psychopathology, counselling psychologists emphasize wellness, growth, and helping people function better in their daily lives.
Counselling (as a profession distinct from counselling psychology) is a helping profession that focuses on specific problems or life transitions. Counsellors, who usually have a master’s degree in counselling or a related field, help clients cope with immediate issues such as career decisions, academic stress, grief, or relationship conflicts. Counselling is typically shorter-term than psychotherapy and more solution-focused. It emphasizes practical coping strategies and goals rather than deep exploration of underlying emotional patterns.