Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists can often work in the same clinics and see people with similar problems, but there is a difference between them.

For example, if you are feeling depressed or anxious, a Psychiatrist may help you think about whether a biological treatment like antidepressant drugs would help you, whereas a Clinical Psychologist is best placed to help you think about whether a psychological therapy like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), may be the answer.

CBT is based on the theory that it is not events themselves that upset you, but the meanings one attaches to them. CBT aims to show you ways of changing negative thoughts and composing alternative ways of thinking about your situation. Put simply, the cognitive element of CBT looks specifically at how our thoughts can create our feelings and mood, and the behavioural therapy element explores the relationship between our behaviours and thoughts.