Not Sure Who to See for Mental Health Support?

If you know you need mental health support but are not sure who to book with, you are not alone. Many people feel confused by the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist and counsellor, especially when they are already feeling anxious, low, overwhelmed or worried about a child.

This guide explains what each mental health professional does, when each one may be appropriate, and how to take the first step.

“Many people delay seeking help because they are unsure who they should see. A good first step is simply explaining what has been happening. From there, the right professional can help guide the next stage of care.”

– Neil Costello, Psychotherapist and CEO of BetterCare

What’s the difference?

Here is a simple overview of the difference between psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors.

Some people need one type of support. Others may benefit from more than one professional being involved.

For example, one person may see a psychiatrist for diagnosis and medication, while also attending psychotherapy for ongoing emotional support. A child may have a psycho-educational assessment with a psychologist and then receive recommendations for school supports. Another person may begin with therapy and later be advised that a psychiatric assessment could be helpful.

There is no “one right route” for everyone. The best starting point depends on what is happening for you.

What does a psychiatrist do?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in mental health.

This means they can assess mental health symptoms, diagnose psychiatric conditions, consider physical health factors, and prescribe medication where appropriate.

Psychiatrists may work with people experiencing:

• depression
• anxiety disorders
• bipolar disorder
• ADHD
• autism
• PTSD
• OCD
• psychosis
• eating disorders
• personality disorders
• complex or long-standing mental health concerns

Because psychiatrists are doctors, they can consider how mental and physical health may be connected. They can also review medication, assess risk, provide a diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan.

When might you see a psychiatrist?

A psychiatrist may be the right mental health professional to see if:

• you are wondering whether you have a diagnosable mental health condition
• your symptoms are affecting work, school, relationships or daily life
• you may need medication or a medication review
• you have complex or long-standing mental health difficulties
• you need a formal psychiatric assessment or report
• you have tried therapy, but feel something more may be needed
• your GP, therapist, or another professional has recommended psychiatric input

Psychiatric care does not always mean medication.

A psychiatrist may recommend therapy, lifestyle changes, further assessment, medication, or a joined-up treatment plan involving other professionals. The goal is not simply to label a person, but to understand what is happening and what kind of support is most likely to help.

You may also find our guide on what to know before a psychiatric appointment helpful.

What does a psychologist do?

A psychologist is trained in how people think, feel, learn, behave and develop.

Psychologists often provide assessments, formulations and therapeutic support. The type of work a psychologist does can depend on their area of training, such as clinical psychology, educational psychology, counselling psychology, child and adolescent psychology, or another specialist area.

Psychologists may work with children, adults, families, neurodevelopmental conditions, learning difficulties, trauma, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, autism, emotional regulation, behaviour, or cognitive functioning.

When might you see a psychologist?

A psychologist may be the right professional to see if:

• you or your child needs an autism assessment
• you or your child needs an ADHD assessment
• your child may need a psycho-educational assessment
• you want to better understand behaviour, learning, emotions or development
• you are looking for psychological therapy or structured support
• you need recommendations for school, college, work or home
• you want a clearer picture of strengths, challenges and support needs
• you have been struggling for a long time but do not yet understand why

Psychological assessments can be especially helpful when someone has been finding life, school, work or relationships difficult, but does not yet have a clear explanation.

An assessment can help identify what may be contributing to those difficulties and what supports may help.

For children and young people, this may include recommendations for school, home life or further therapeutic support. For adults, it may help explain long-standing challenges with focus, emotional regulation, learning, social communication, anxiety or burnout.

“Psychology focuses on understanding how thoughts, emotions and behaviour are connected, and how these patterns influence what is happening in your life right now. It helps you gain clarity, recognise unhelpful patterns, and develop practical ways to respond to difficulties with greater insight and effectiveness.”

— Maristela Ferro Nepomuceno, BetterCare Child & Adolescent Therapist

What does a psychotherapist or counsellor do?

Psychotherapists and counsellors support people through talking therapy.

Therapy gives people space to explore their feelings, understand patterns, process difficult experiences, and develop healthier ways of coping. It can help people make sense of what is happening in their lives and feel less alone with it.

Psychotherapy and counselling can support people with:

• anxiety
• low mood
• grief
• trauma
• stress
• burnout
• relationship difficulties
• low self-esteem
• life changes
• emotional overwhelm
• family or work-related challenges

When might you see a psychotherapist or counsellor?

A psychotherapist or counsellor may be the right professional to see if:

• you feel anxious, low, overwhelmed or stuck
• you are dealing with grief, stress, trauma or relationship issues
• you want regular support to talk things through
• you do not necessarily need a diagnosis, but know you need help
• you want to understand yourself better
• you want to build healthier coping strategies
• you are going through a difficult life change
• you feel emotionally exhausted or burnt out

Therapy can be short-term and focused, or longer-term, depending on the person’s needs.

Some people attend therapy to work through a specific issue, such as grief, anxiety or a relationship difficulty. Others use therapy as a longer-term space to understand themselves, process past experiences or build emotional resilience.

You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Many people begin therapy because they feel stuck, disconnected, overwhelmed or unsure how to move forward. If cost is a concern, BetterCare also offers low-cost counselling for adults over 18.

“Psychotherapy offers a supportive space to talk through emotional difficulties, reduce distress, and make sense of what is happening in your life right now. It helps you feel heard, supported, and more able to cope with challenges in a way that feels manageable and sustainable.”

— Maristela Ferro Nepomuceno, BetterCare Child & Adolescent Therapist

What is the difference between assessment and therapy?

Assessment and therapy are both important forms of mental health support, but they are not the same thing.

An assessment is usually designed to understand what may be happening.

It may involve:

• questionnaires
• clinical interviews
• observations
• developmental or background history
• standardised tools
• input from parents, teachers or other professionals where appropriate
• written recommendations
• a formal report, depending on the type of assessment

An assessment may help identify whether someone meets criteria for a diagnosis, such as ADHD, autism, a learning difficulty, anxiety disorder, mood disorder or another mental health condition.

Therapy, on the other hand, is usually an ongoing process of support.

It may involve weekly or regular sessions where you work through emotions, thoughts, behaviours, relationships, coping skills or past experiences. Therapy is often less about “testing” and more about helping you understand and manage what you are experiencing.

Some people need assessment. Some people need therapy. Some people need both.

For example:

• A person may have an ADHD assessment and then begin therapy to help with emotional regulation, self-esteem or anxiety.
• A child may have a psycho-educational assessment and then receive school supports.
• An adult may see a psychiatrist for diagnosis and medication, while also working with a psychotherapist for ongoing support.
• A young person may have an autism assessment and then receive support around anxiety, communication or daily functioning.
• A person experiencing trauma may not need a diagnosis, but may benefit from regular therapy.

When might you need more than one professional?

Mental health care is often most effective when professionals work together.

A psychiatrist, psychologist and psychotherapist may all be involved in different parts of a person’s care. This does not mean the person is “too complex” or that things are worse than they thought. It simply means different professionals bring different expertise.

For example:

• A psychiatrist may assess diagnosis, medication and complex mental health symptoms.
• A psychologist may complete an autism, ADHD, cognitive or psycho-educational assessment.
• A psychotherapist may provide regular emotional support.
• An occupational therapist may help with sensory, functional or daily living needs.
• A speech and language therapist may support communication needs.

This joined-up approach can be especially helpful when there are overlapping needs.

For example, a child may have learning difficulties, anxiety and emotional regulation challenges. An adult may be experiencing ADHD symptoms, burnout and low mood. A young person may need support with autism, school stress and family communication.

In these situations, one professional may not be able to address every part of the picture. A multidisciplinary approach can help ensure the person receives support that reflects their full needs.

How do I know where to start?

You do not need to know the exact professional you need before asking for help.

A good starting point is to think about your main concern.

You may need a psychiatrist if:

• you are looking for a diagnosis
• you may need medication
• you need a medication review
• your symptoms feel severe, complex or long-standing
• your mental health is affecting daily life, work, school or relationships
• another professional has suggested a psychiatric assessment

You may need a psychologist if:

• you or your child may need an autism assessment
• you or your child may need an ADHD assessment
• you are looking for a psycho-educational assessment
• there are concerns around learning, development, behaviour or emotional regulation
• you need recommendations for school, college, work or home
• you want a clearer understanding of strengths, challenges and support needs

You may need a psychotherapist or counsellor if:

• you want regular talking support
• you feel anxious, low, overwhelmed, stressed or stuck
• you are dealing with grief, trauma, burnout or relationship difficulties
• you want help understanding patterns in your thoughts, feelings or behaviour
• you do not necessarily need a diagnosis, but know you need support

If you are looking for regular talking support, counselling or psychotherapy may be a good starting point. For adults over 18, low-cost counselling may also be an option.

You may need a joined-up team approach if:

• there are several overlapping concerns
• you or your child may need both assessment and therapy
• previous support has not been enough
• different parts of life are being affected, such as school, work, relationships, communication or daily functioning
• you are unsure whether the main need is diagnosis, therapy, medication or practical support

BetterCare can help guide people towards the most suitable professional based on what they are experiencing.

Do I need a GP referral?

This can depend on the service, the type of assessment and the person’s needs.

Some people come to mental health support after speaking with their GP. Others reach out directly because they know they need help but are unsure where to begin.

If you are unsure, it can still be helpful to contact the service and explain what has been happening. You can then be guided towards the most appropriate next step.

For some people, that may be therapy. For others, it may be a psychiatric assessment, psychological assessment, ADHD assessment, autism assessment, psycho-educational assessment or another form of support.

If your symptoms are severe, worsening, or you are concerned about your safety, it is important to contact your GP, out-of-hours doctor, emergency department or emergency services.

What if I choose the wrong professional?

Many people worry about booking the “wrong” person.

But you do not need to have everything worked out perfectly before seeking help. A good clinician will understand that people often arrive unsure of what they need.

If a professional feels another type of support would be more appropriate, they can guide you. For example, a psychotherapist may suggest that a psychiatric assessment could be helpful. A psychiatrist may recommend ongoing therapy. A psychologist may suggest additional supports following an assessment.

The important thing is to start the conversation.

Explaining what has been happening, how long it has been going on, and how it is affecting your life can help the right next step become clearer.

When should I seek urgent support?

This article is designed to help explain different types of mental health professionals. It is not a substitute for urgent or emergency support.

If you feel at risk of harming yourself, feel unable to keep yourself safe, are worried about someone else’s immediate safety, or feel in crisis, please seek urgent help.

You can contact your GP, out-of-hours doctor, local emergency department or emergency services.

If there is an immediate risk, call emergency services or go to your nearest emergency department.

Finding the right mental health support in Ireland

Choosing the right mental health support can feel confusing, but you do not have to work it out alone.

Whether you are seeking therapy, a psychiatric assessment, an autism or ADHD assessment, a psycho-educational assessment, or support for your child or family, the first step is understanding what kind of help may be most appropriate.

At BetterCare, our team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists and other clinicians across a range of mental health and assessment services in Ireland.

This means we can help guide you towards the right professional or service based on your needs.

You do not need to know exactly what you need before getting in touch. You only need to explain what has been happening.

Not sure where to start?

If you are unsure which mental health professional or service is right for you, you do not have to work it out alone.

BetterCare offers a free team consultation to help guide you towards the most appropriate support. Simply fill in a short form with some details about what has been happening, and our team can review your needs and help match you with the right service.

This may include therapy, a psychiatric assessment, an ADHD or autism assessment, a psycho-educational assessment, child and adolescent support, or another form of mental health care.

You can also explore all BetterCare mental health services if you would like to learn more about the different supports available.

The first step is simply sharing a few details, so our team can help guide you towards the right place to begin.