Psychologist, psychiatrist or family counsellor? Choosing the right support

Confusion between professions

A significant number of people searching for a psychologist in Ankara are often unsure about which professional group they should seek support from. Titles such as psychologist, psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, family counsellor, and psychological counsellor are frequently used interchangeably in everyday language. However, these professions have different educational paths, scopes of practice, and ways of working.

Contacting the right professional group not only prevents wasted time but also ensures you receive the most appropriate support for your needs. This guide has been prepared by the Özel Vivere Aile Danışmanlık Merkezi Knowledge Centre to explain the differences between these professions in an unbiased and clear way.

The purpose of this guide is not to present any profession as superior to another. Mental health professions are complementary and, in many cases, work in collaboration.

Professions and scopes of practice: an overview

The table below compares the main professions in the mental health and counselling field in terms of their education, scope of practice, and typical work settings.

Psychiatrist: medical assessment and medication

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed medical school and then specialised in psychiatry. Their scope of practice includes the medical assessment of mental health conditions, providing diagnoses, and, where necessary, planning medication-based treatment.

Medical assessment is important in cases of intense and prolonged depression, changes in the perception of reality, thoughts of self-harm, severe sleep disturbances, or substance use. In such situations, the first point of contact should be a psychiatric outpatient clinic or a healthcare institution.

Psychiatrists often work in collaboration with psychologists and counsellors. For example, a person might see a psychiatrist for medication and also attend regular sessions with a psychologist or counsellor.

Psychologist and Clinical Psychologist

A psychologist is a professional who has graduated from a university's undergraduate psychology programme. Psychologists receive comprehensive training in human behaviour, thought, and emotion, and they work in the fields of psychological counselling, assessment, and support.

A clinical psychologist is a professional who, in addition to a psychology degree, has completed a master's or doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Clinical psychologists have more advanced training in psychological assessment and structured psychological support.

Psychologists and clinical psychologists cannot prescribe medication. The scope of their services may vary depending on the type of institution they work in (e.g., hospital, family counselling centre, school).

Family Counsellor: relationship and family-focused support

A family counsellor is a professional who has completed a degree in a relevant field such as psychology, psychological counselling, or social work, and has subsequently completed a family counselling certificate programme approved by the Ministry of Family and Social Services (Aile ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı).

Family counsellors work on issues such as couple relationships, communication within the family, parenting, the divorce process, life transitions, and intergenerational relationships. Their focus is not so much on the individual as on the relationship and family system.

In Turkey, private family counselling centres are institutions licensed and supervised by the Ministry. Experts with the titles of psychologist and family counsellor offer individual, couple, family, child, and adolescent counselling services in these centres. For more details, you can visit our family counselling page.

Psychological Counsellor

A psychological counsellor is a professional who has graduated from a faculty of education's guidance and psychological counselling programme. Psychological counsellors mostly work in schools, guidance and research centres, and other institutions.

Supporting students' academic, career, and personal development, collaborating with families, and carrying out preventative work are among the primary duties of psychological counsellors. The school's guidance service is often the first point of contact for concerns about your child's school adjustment or exam anxiety.

Which professional to contact for which situation?

The table below summarises potential starting points for common situations. This is intended as a guide; speaking with a professional is always the best way to make a definitive decision.

Inter-professional collaboration and referrals

An ethical professional knows their own limits of competence and authority and will refer a client to another professional group when necessary. For example, a family counsellor may refer a client to a psychiatrist if they identify a need for medical assessment, while a psychiatrist may recommend regular counselling sessions in addition to medication.

This collaboration ensures that the client's different needs are met in a holistic way. Receiving a referral suggestion while working with a professional does not mean the process has failed, but rather that your needs are being taken seriously.

How can you verify professional titles?

You can take the following steps to verify a professional's title and education:

• Ask which university and department the professional graduated from.
• Find out which institution awarded their master's degree or certificate training.
• For family counsellors, ask about the existence of a Ministry-approved certificate.
• For medical doctors, records can be checked with the Turkish Medical Association (Türk Tabipleri Birliği) or the Ministry of Health.
• Check the official title and licence information of the institution.

The scope of private family counselling centres

Private family counselling centres are institutions that operate according to the regulations of the Ministry of Family and Social Services. They offer psychosocial counselling services, which include individual counselling, family and couple counselling, child and adolescent counselling, group work, educational counselling, and the application of psychological tests.

Diagnosis and medication are not provided at family counselling centres; these services fall within the remit of healthcare institutions. The fees for these centres are determined annually by a fee assessment commission at the governor's office.

Finding the right starting point

If you are unsure which professional to contact, a brief initial consultation at a family counselling centre can help you clarify your needs and, if necessary, be referred to the right place.

At Özel Vivere Aile Danışmanlık Merkezi, our professionals, who hold the titles of psychologist and family counsellor, conduct individual, couple, family, child, and adolescent sessions according to your needs. You can view our team.

You can send us your questions via our contact page.