Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Neuropsychologists... What's the difference and When to Instruct Them.

This is a question we get asked a lot.  Broadly speaking, there are three types of Mental Health experts:  Clinical Psychologists, Neuropsychologists and Psychiatrists.  Outside the Mental Health industry there is much confusion regarding the difference between psychologists and psychiatrists.

Fundamentally, psychologists are experts in human behavior.  They have studied the brain, memory, learning, development and the processes underpinning how people "think, feel, behave and react."   Psychologists do not have a medical degree.  These are the experts who are most valuable in cases where clients require a mental health assessment to determine 1) their current mental health status, 2) whether a mental disorder has developed or was pre existing, and 3) the impact of an individual's mental health on the area of law in question (eg1. An application to waive a particular visa application may require the presence of a mental health issue.  Eg2. The presence of a mental health issue may have contributed to a person's offending behavior.  Eg3.  The development of a mental health issue in a defendant in a criminal matter may have significant implications for sentencing, likewise the development of a mental health issue in the victim of a crime will have significant implications.  Eg4.  The development of a mental health issue will be of particular interest to the family court where a Magistrate is trying to determine custody rights).
 
Psychiatrists on the other hand, have completed a medical degree and have then specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.  Psychiatrists can make clinical mental health assessments inclusive of medication reviews and or medical treatment recommendations.  These assessments are most pertinent where the presence of a mental disorder may require medical treatment for effective management.
 
So where do Neuropsychologists fit in?  Neuropsychologists, are trained in psychology but have gone on to specialize in brain dysfunction.  People are referred to these clinicians when they have a history inclusive of long-term substance use (10+ years of regular use), head trauma (motor vehicle accidents, assault, stroke or other trauma) and/or significant periods of unconsciousness (associated with accidents, assaults, overdoses and unsuccessful suicide attempts). Neuropsychologists utilize a range of standardized tests to determine the presence and nature of brain dysfunction including:- memory problems, concentration problems, attentional difficulties, and logical thinking difficulties amongst others. These types of assessments are most common in personal injury and criminal matters, but they can be of benefit in other legal areas as well, particularly where an assessment of a person's cognitive level of functioning (ie ability to parent, to work, to live independently, to manage finances etc) are concerned.