What’s the difference?

What is the difference between a psychologist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist, and specialist psychologist? These titles are sometimes used interchangeably, so it can be helpful to clarify both the differences and similarities — so you know what kind of expertise and treatment each professional offers.

A psychologist is a protected title in Norway, granted by the Directorate of Health after completing a six-year professional university program. The education includes both theory and practice and provides authorization as a healthcare professional. Psychologists have broad knowledge of mental health, development, disorders, and treatment.

A psychotherapist is not a protected title in Norway and can be used by people with different backgrounds. A psychotherapist works with talk therapy to help individuals understand themselves, process challenges, and improve quality of life. The level of education and professional background can vary, so it is important to check the therapist’s qualifications. Many psychotherapists are trained in one or more specific therapeutic methods.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who, after completing medical school (six years including practice), has specialized in psychiatry. This involves at least five years of further education and practice, including training and supervision in mental healthcare. Unlike psychologists, psychiatrists can prescribe medication as part of treatment. They often work with more complex or severe mental disorders.

A specialist psychologist is a psychologist who has completed further training in a specific area of psychology. Specialization requires at least five years of practice, extensive coursework, and supervision. Specialist psychologists have in-depth knowledge and experience in specific areas, such as child and adolescent psychology, neuropsychology, or clinical adult psychology.

Talk therapy as a form of treatment
Therapy is essentially a personal conversation between you and the therapist. Traditionally, we spend 45 minutes together, focusing on whatever you wish to discuss. You don’t need to come with a specific problem — it is my job as a psychologist to help you sort through your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, so that you gain a better understanding of who you are, how you function, what challenges you face, and what you need to feel better.

In-person meetings, video calls, or phone sessions
From the beginning, therapy has traditionally been conducted face-to-face. However, this is just as much due to technological limitations at the time as it is because it was considered the most effective method. The advantage of an in-person meeting is that sitting together creates a shared experience that has value in itself. In my view, though, the quality of the conversation is what matters most. It is therefore better to have a video session or even just a phone call than to skip treatment because attending in person is difficult for any reason.

What you can expect from me
Personally, I am talkative and don’t hesitate to ask questions, and I like to bring humor into the therapy room. My goal is for it to feel natural for you to speak with me, while also providing knowledge and insights that are meaningful to you. Therapeutically, I work in an integrative way, combining several treatment methods to tailor the approach to your needs and wishes, along with my professional assessment of what is likely to be most helpful. That said, there are many paths to the same goal, and I want therapy to be a collaborative process. I therefore aim to create a process where there is room for you to share your own input and wishes along the way.

Confidentiality and Duty of Care
It is likely known that what you share with your psychologist is protected by confidentiality. This is regulated in the Norwegian Health Personnel Act, Chapter 5, and covers both “medical conditions” and “personal matters.” As a psychologist, this means not only that we are obliged to keep information obtained in our professional capacity confidential, but also that we have a duty to actively prevent others from gaining access to this information.

Confidentiality is not absolute. You, as a client, can give consent for information to be shared, and there are also exceptions under what is called “duty to report and provide information.”

Duty to Report and Provide Information
In accordance with Chapter 6 of the Health Personnel Act, psychologists have a duty to alert authorities if it is necessary to prevent serious harm to a person or property. This means that confidentiality can be broken if there is a suspicion of danger to life or health, either for you as the client or for others.

This also includes psychologists’ duty to report if a client’s ability to safely hold a driver’s license is in question. In such cases, we have the authority to issue a verbal driving prohibition, and reporting may result in the driver’s license being revoked.

Additionally, psychologists have a duty to notify child welfare services if there is reason to believe that a child is being subjected to neglect or abuse.

Record-Keeping and Right of Access to Your Records
Psychologists in both public and private practice are required to maintain records. These serve as a working tool for the psychologist, allowing us to note necessary and relevant information that helps keep track of the course of treatment. Records are also important documents for patients/clients, as they provide information about the care received and the reasons for it. This can be helpful documentation if the client later wishes to change therapists. The records also ensure the legal protection of both the client and the psychologist, as they can be used to review the care provided.

In general, you as a patient/client have the right to access your own records.