You may have discovered that here are Melbourne Wellbeing Group we have both general psychologists and Clinical psychologists, and we frequently get asked to explain the difference. That makes perfect sense because the difference isn’t always easy to understand. So let’s explore it here.
The difference between a general psychologist and a Clinical psychologist depends on whether you are wondering about level of expertise and training, or whether you are wondering about why a consumer gets a higher rebate when they see a Clinical psychologist.
First, let’s talk about level of expertise and training.
All registered psychologists in Australia must meet high standards of education, training, ethical practice, supervision and ongoing professional development. More than 60% of psychologists hold general registration, which means they have a minimum of six years of training at university with an additional minimum of two years supervised training.
But psychologists often choose an area of speciality in their practice and elect to do additional training and supervised practice to become endorsed in their area of speciality. Endorsed psychologists typically have a minimum of eight years of training at university and two extra years of supervised practice. There are nine areas of endorsed practice in psychology including Clinical Psychology.
· Clinical neuropsychology
· Clinical psychology
· Community psychology
· Educational and developmental psychology
· Forensic psychology
· Health psychology
· Organisational psychology
· Sports and exercise psychology
· Counselling psychology
In this context then, a general psychologist is someone who has not gone on to do extra specialised training and therefore does not have an area of endorsement such as Clinical psychology.
But in relation to Medicare however, the difference between a general psychologist and a Clinical psychologist is different.
Consumers of psychological services are eligible for a Medicare rebate under the Better Access Initiative when they see a registered psychologist, be they general or endorsed psychologists. However, at present Medicare offers a larger rebate for consumers who see a psychologist with endorsement in the area of Clinical psychology.
Therefore, all non-Clinical psychologists are considered by Medicare to be general psychologists. Even those with an area of endorsement.
Hope that helps! For more information, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Melbourne Wellbeing Group.