What is the difference between psychologists, clinical psychologists , therapists and counsellors?

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How are they ranked in terms of qualifications and which would be best to treat complex ptsd?

The term therapist means nothing at all. Some types of therapist eg speech and language therapist is a protected title and refers to a particular qualification and skill level and is registered with the HCPC. Same with counsellor and psychologist - they have no official meaning at all.
A clinical psychologist using that title professionally will be registered with the HPCP and it is a protected title.
Check these people are all registered with the HCPC if you want to assure yourself of the standard and type of service you want to receive.

A psychologist could be an Educational Psychologist or a Clinical Psychologist. Both have doctorates, they are generally quite expensive to get your hands on one! You might find they are calling themselves a psychologist but all they’ve got is a psychology degree!

Pretty much anyone can set themselves up as a therapist or counsellor-there are various levels-2/3/4/5/6/7. Someone who has done a level 2 course online, is going to be very different to someone with a level 7.

Then there’s a psychiatrist…!

Not exactly a ranking in that it’s a case of differences in approach rather than hierarchy. Clinical psychologists focus on the whys and wherefores of human behaviour and will have trained to PhD level. Therapist can refer to a range of approaches including counselling and psychotherapy. Psychotherapists will have undertaken a 4-year postgraduate training focussing on a particular stance on psychotherapy. Counsellors have normally completed shorter training courses covering similar ground to psychotherapists. Psychologists can make certain diagnoses but psychotherapists cannot.

I can only speak to the UK system. I'd recommend you looking into finding a psychologist who specialises in PTSD. This is because there are some specific treatments for PTSD, Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma focused therapy. I found this website quite helpful https://www.ptsduk.org/how-to-find-the-right-therapist/. Some people are able to access this treatment through referral by their GP, so it may be worth discussing with GP before you go private (if you haven't already). I'm a psychologist, but have a different specialism. As everyone is different, and your background and cause of the PTSD is individual to you, it is important that you find the right person for you. I think that the way you and the therapist connect is an important part of that too. Good luck!

It’s for my son who also has autism .He has also had complex ptsd. We’ve been told EMDR and cbt aren’t good for autism. Honestly don’t know what to do.

So are we supposed to looking for a psychologist or clinical psychologist? How do we know if a psychologist isn’t just somebody with a psycology degree. Then there are therapists? Where do they fit in?

Anyone can call themselves a psychologist. My DH is a clinical psychologist and they are fully qualified doctors.

Ok I get that but I’m utterly confused as to what all these labels are and do and what we’re supposed to be looking for.

Who has given your son these diagnoses? I’d probably look to them for advice initially.

Also, just to add, clinical psychologists will likely have a doctorate so will usually be entitled to use the title Dr, but they are not medically qualified doctors - medically qualified doctors specialising in mental health are psychiatrists (who may then also have additional training in psychotherapy / various psychological approaches)

A clinical psychologist rather than a psychologist - anyone can call themselves a psychologist, you don't even need a Psychology A level, but to call yourself a clinical psychologist you have to have completed the doctorate.

You can search the HCPC register and see if someone is on there, if they are it will tell you what profession they're registered as. You can also search the British Psychological Society register of Chartered Psychologists, but this won't find everyone as you don't have to be registered as a chartered psychologist - HCPC registration is compulsory so all clinical psychologists will be found there.

For a therapist, search the directory on the British Association of Counselling Psychologists website, they should all have relevant qualifications and be receiving clinical supervision - anyone can say they're a therapist so using this directory means you can be confident in finding someone qualified. On the website each person gives some more details about their individual qualifications too.

It could be that a clinical psychologist or a counselling psychologist is the right person to help - I would have a look through those directories and make a shortlist of people to call to find out a bit more about, so you can see who feels like they will be best placed to help - especially with trauma, so much of the help comes from the relationship itself so finding someone you and your son trust is incredibly important - sending thoughts your way and I hope you find someone who can help

I have also heard about CBT not being good for autism. Obviously I heard this after I'd had it and found it brilliant, and yes I have ASD.

With counsellors you need to check their experience and training. I used to see someone with the title 'counsellor' but she had very extensive training, years of experience and specialised in difficult PTSD. While someone else also called counsellor might have very little by way of experience or qualifications.

So sorry to hear that, this sounds complex! It is not my area of expertise, ideally you'd get a multidisciplinary team of people together to work out what the best way forward is. This should ideally include someone who is trauma-trained, someone with expertise in autism,.and particularly psychological treatment for people with autism,.and also if relevant people who are involved with him regularly to ensure you have someone there who he trusts. I know with funding and resource issues this may not be possible, but it's important this is done properly to make things better for him rather than worse. Keep advocating for him, push your GP to help. If you've ever had any support from a social worker they could potentially help too. And perhaps reach out to an autism charity, as they may be able to offer some support or advice. I can imagine this is so hard, he's lucky to have you on his side advocating for him. Good luck!

Broad brush statements like CBT and EMDR are no good for autistic people are just silly. It depends on the person. The therapist (whatever type) will need specialist training and experience in adapting for autism yes, but I have worked with CBT and EMDR very successfully with plenty of autistic people, children and adults.

You need to find someone appropriately qualified and experienced. A clinical psychologist is probably more likely to have the skill set you're looking for, but not just any one, someone who works in neurodivergence and trauma.

Clinical Psychologists are qualified to make diagnoses, and provide treatment for psychological conditions using evidence based methods.

The others have a lesser degree of training and regulation.

And perhaps don't take advice on here as fact, some of the comments about psychologists/therapists etc are incorrect. But we all seem to agree on one thing, that the most important thing is that he receives treatment from someone who has expertise in trauma and treating people with autism. It may mean that the therapist or psychologist with trauma expertise seeks advice from an expert in autism before they start your son's treatment. I wonder if giving the PTSD charity I linked to above a call may also be helpful, even if it is just to share your story and see if they have any advice. But your GP should really be helping you to make sure your son receives the treatment he needs.

"Clinical Psychologist" is a protected title, which means it can only be used if you have completed a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. They are regulated by the HCPC who ensure they maintain their education and manage complaints. They diagnose and treat complex mental health issues.

The issue is the other titles are not protected (although "Counselling Psychologist" would be, and is also registered under HCPC) so the level of training and expertise is hard to judge. Counselling is a specific approach, a Counsellor is likely to have done some training in this approach, but this can vary from a two week online course to years of closely supervised training covering a range of conditions, for example. Therapist can cover a range of approaches, from psychology or not (Psychotherapist implies a certain type of psychological approach and has very intense training and can be a very effective approach. But, sadly, does not have a requirement for registration or protection, so someone can call themselves a psychotherapist without doing that intense training or doing a much lesser version of it).

To say CBT and EMDR don't work for autism is an oversimplification. EMDR has less evidence in autism and CBT will require adaptations, but has been extensively used in autism. Assuming you have tried the NHS route (Community Mental Health Team) I would look for a psychologist through the National Autistic Society (NAS) as expertise in autism will be essential. Then look up the individual on the HCPC register to ensure they are qualified.

If you are looking at a complex situation with autism/PTSD, I would be starting by contacting a clinical psychologist and see what they advise. It will expensive, as they are fully qualified doctors/spent many years training.

I personally wouldn't go near other less qualified people for something so complex. It's not the kind of issue cheaper counselling could resolve.

My son is autistic and benefitted immensely from EMDR therapy. 2 sessions released him from the fight/flight response he had to stimuli that previously he associated with being bullied and assaulted. Life changing.

Thankyou all, this is so helpful.

Who diagnosed him with PTSD and what did they advise?

Make sure whoever to get is registered with HCPC or BACP. Who has your dc already seen who diagnosed ptsd? Did they give recommendations for treatment?

How old is your dc? Often direct therapy isn't that successful (depending on age and developmental level) and what's more important is those around the dc having a good understanding of their history and needs so that adaptations and adjustments can be made in terms of how they are interacted with and supported at home and school.

There are good resources on beacon house and the PACE model (Dan Hughes).

CMHT psych who gave him psychodynamic therapy, prescribed from the separate psycology dep.It wasn’t done properly though. She apologised he didn’t have the amount of sessions per week he should because it was NHS, quite a few sessions got cancelled and then it ended too soon when she left ie everything was ripped out and he was left hanging with no coping mechanisms.

It was left that he needs more therapy but he will have to be referred back in as the programme of treatment ended . He is now very bitter about the NHS and feels he has waited long enough. Wants his life back on track.He has some criminal
injuries money but I don’t want him to waste it on the wrong therapy. Paid for a private psych assessment for advice as to a treatment plan and it wasn’t that helpful. Just said he needs therapy. No idea of type of therapy just that EMDR and CBT often isn’t that helpful with autism.

So from this I’m thinking a clinical psychologist would be best and would advise as to type of therapy?Almost impossible to find an autism friendly one or to work out which are good.😫 Its as tricky as navigating the NHS.

He’s 20.

My dd has emdr with a clinical psychologist

It's been really good and helpful to her. She is also autistic so has some very deep rooted beliefs the normal cbt didn't really tackle