Understanding Common Clinic Terms: A Simple Guide for Clients

Therapy offers significant benefits, from improving communication skills and helping to manage depression and anxiety to building stronger relationships. But knowing exactly where to start can feel daunting. Whether you’re new to therapy or want to learn more about specialized forms of treatment, having a clear understanding of clinical language and psychology-based terms allows you to find the best-suited services for you and your needs. 

Here, an introductory list of definitions of common clinical terms will help get you started:

Clinician:

A person who provides health care services directly to a patient is called a clinician.

Psychologist:

Psychologists assess, diagnose and treat patients with mental health problems. They hold a master’s and/or doctoral degree in psychology and are licensed by a governing body. In Alberta, that is the College of Alberta Psychologists. Psychologists often work with family physicians, pediatricians or other medical specialists to ensure clients are receiving comprehensive treatment for their concerns.

Psychiatrist:

Psychiatrists have a medical degree with a special designation in psychiatry. They are medical doctors who diagnose and treat patients with mental health disorders and can prescribe medication. 

Counsellor:

Counsellors help individuals cope with mental health concerns through psychotherapy and counselling. They do not diagnose mental health disorders, complete comprehensive assessments or prescribe medications. Counselling will often focus on shorter-term problems and can target specific challenges, such as grief and loss or relationship-based issues, or provide guidance in specific areas like career development and emotional coping. 

Social workers:

Social workers specialize in various areas and work in different environments, such as private practice clinics, hospitals, child protective agencies and senior homes. They ensure patients have access to the right resources. Many social workers do work similar to what counsellors do and use psychotherapy and counselling to help patients. Unless a social worker has undergone specialized training, they do not diagnose mental health problems.

Therapist:

Just as ‘counsellor’ is a broad term for a variety of mental health professionals who offer counselling, a therapist includes a range of professionals trained in providing psychology services, like therapy. A therapist is an umbrella term for professionals like psychologists and certain social workers.

Therapy:

Therapy is a form of treatment — often focused on long-term solutions — done with a professional to help patients with emotional and mental health issues. There are various types, including individual therapy, which involves one-on-one sessions; couple or family therapy, which provides a safe and structured environment to work through relationship-based conflict; and group therapy, where patients discuss their problems with others who share similar issues under the supervision and guidance of a professional. 

CBT:

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a common type of therapy used to help manage mental health conditions. It’s a type of talk therapy which involves identifying and changing negative thought patterns and maladaptive behaviours. For the majority of mental health diagnoses, CBT is considered evidence-based — science supports that being taught CBT skills will help you reach your goal.

Treatment:

Treatment is the method or variation of methods implemented to help a patient with their challenges. It can include therapy sessions, prescribed medication, lifestyle adjustments, group programs and referrals to other specialists. 

Assessment:

An assessment gathers and analyzes information about an individual to draw a psychological conclusion. There are two main types of assessments. A general assessment is often conducted by a clinician asking questions to the client and possibly their family. It can include some questionnaires, but they tend to be more general. A formal assessment measures how an individual is doing compared to their same-aged peers. A formal assessment is helpful when diagnosing learning disorders, ADHD, personality disorders or other more severe types of mental health problems. Assessments help professionals gain a clear overview of your current level of functioning to help provide a treatment plan.

Intake Session:

An intake session is the initial meeting with a mental health professional. The clinician will gather some background information and your history to better understand you and the reasons you’re seeking psychological services. This is a great opportunity for you to determine if the clinician is the right fit for you. After the intake session, the clinician will generally clearly lay out the next steps. 

Confidentiality:

Unless required by law, the information you share in sessions is confidential and can only be shared with your consent, meaning what you choose to disclose stays between you and your clinician, with the exception of certain situations (e.g. imminent or serious harm to yourself). Your clinician will go over these exceptions with you during your intake session, but it is standard practice for an adult to read a document about confidentiality and acknowledge that they have read it.

Did you know that The Family Psychology Place offers telepsychology?

Something worth considering when looking for psychology services is how you’d like the service to be delivered. Clinics like The Family Psychology Place provide online services, which can be more comfortable and convenient for some. The Family Psychology Place offers all its counselling services remotely, and it’s just as effective as in-person sessions. It’s a safe, secure and convenient way to get the services you need and the solutions for a healthier, happier life. 

To learn more about psychology services and telehealth opportunities, visit familypsychologyplace.com.

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