Psychologists study the way people feel, think, act and interact. Through a range of strategies and therapies they aim to reduce distress and to enhance and promote emotional wellbeing. Psychologists are experts in human behaviour. They have studied the brain, memory, learning and human development. Psychologists can assist people who are having difficulty controlling their emotions, thinking and behaviour, including those with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, serious and enduring mental illness, addictive behaviours and childhood behaviour disorders.

Psychologists use evidence-based practice (EBP). EBP is a process of integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and the patient's unique values and circumstances. It also requires the psychologists to consider the unique characteristics of the context in which they work.

All psychologists are registered with the national registration board, the Psychology Board of Australia, in the same way medical practitioners must be registered. This means that they must be competent and follow a strict Code of Conduct. In Australia, not all counsellors or therapists are registered psychologists. Seeing someone who is registered ensures you receive high quality ethical treatment.

In Australia, psychologists must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and listed with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). They must have a minimum of six years of university training, engage in ongoing education, and adhere to strict ethical standards. You can check on the Ahpra website to see if a person is registered as a psychologist.

You'll find psychologists in all walks of life including schools, courts, public and private hospitals, businesses, prisons, defence force, and private practice.

Broadly speaking, most psychologists provide assessment and therapy to clients, help facilitate organisational or social change, conduct psychological research, or administer psychological tests to individuals or groups.

The relationship between you and your psychologist can have a big impact on the outcomes of your therapy, so understanding what it is you need and expect from your relationship with your psychologist is a good starting point.

There are many similarities between psychologists and psychiatrists. Both are trained to understand how your brain works, how you think and how you behave. The main difference between the two is that a psychiatrist has trained as a medical doctor and can prescribe medication. A psychologist is not a medical doctor and cannot prescribe medication.