Psychologists and counsellors

Within the Family Justice System psychologists are concerned with practical problems such as how to help parents and children cope with relationship breakdown.

There are several main types of psychologists, depending on their specialist postgraduate qualifications or training. In the Family Justice System you are most likely to encounter Clinical psychologists, Counselling psychologists or Educational psychologists.

Some people choose counsellors rather than psychologists to help them with their family problems and emotional issues. Counsellors may or may not have formal qualifications.

Clinical psychologists aim to reduce psychological distress and to enhance and promote psychological well-being. They work with people with mental or physical health problems - which might include anxiety and depression, serious and enduring mental illness, adjustment to physical illness, neurological disorders, addictive behaviours, childhood behaviour disorders, and problems with their personal lives and family relationships. They work with people of all ages and with those with learning disabilities.

They work largely in health and social care settings including hospitals, health centres, community mental health teams, child and adolescent mental health services and social services. Some work in the private sector.

Counselling Psychologists apply psychology to working collaboratively with people across a diverse range of human problems. These include helping people manage difficult life events such as bereavement, past and present relationships and working with mental health issues and disorders. Counselling Psychologists accept subjective experience as valid for each person, explore underlying issues and use an active collaborative relationship to empower people to consider change.

Counselling Psychologists work within the NHS in general and psychiatric hospitals and GP surgeries; in private hospitals and in independent practice and may work directly with individuals, couples, families, groups or act as consultants.

Educational Psychologists apply psychology to helping children and young people. They use a wide range of psychological techniques in assessing abilities and assisting those who have difficulties in learning or social adjustment. They have a central role in assessing (statementing) children with special needs, under the 1996 Education Act. Services offered might include counselling, planning programmes to overcome behavioural problems, supporting teaching and learning techniques, as well as working with teachers and policy development at single school level or across the whole of the local education authority.

Most Chartered Educational Psychologists work within the Local Education Authority (LEA) system but others work with adults, or in private practice.

Counsellors may help you in many different ways. They may just listen, as speaking out loud about your problems may help you put your thoughts in order. Some counsellors may go through a whole list of options, and examine the pros and cons of each option, so that you can make better informed decisions. Counsellors do not tell you what to do. The counselling methods used will depend on your particular problem, and the style of counselling undertaken by the counsellor. Counselling is not a regulated profession, and people without qualifications can call themselves counsellors. A referral from your G.P or a personal recommendation can help you find a suitable counsellor.

For more information about psychologists and counselling see: