GPS: FAQ About Psychology

Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology
(last updated February, 2007)

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General

What is a Health Service Psychologist?

A health psychologist is a professional trained to assess, diagnose and treat a range of emotional, behavioural, cognitive and relationship problems.

A health psychologist works with individuals and couples to help them better understand their problems and find ways to resolve them.

At GPS, our professional staff members are registered psychologists.

A psychologist helps people to help themselves.

What is the Difference Between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?

A psychologist has post-graduate training (a doctoral or masters degree) in assessing, diagnosing and treating a range of emotional, behavioural, cognitive and relationship problems. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed a residency in psychiatry. A psychiatrist is trained in the medical management of psychiatric disorders. This usually involves prescription of medication.

Do I Need a Referral From a Physician to See a Psychologist?

No medical referral is required for you to see a psychologist. Your insurance company, however, may require a physician's referral in order to reimburse your costs for psychological services. For more information, please see Insurance.

Your physician may fax your referral to GPS at (902) 423-3469. All that insurance companies require as a written referral from a physician is a short note on a prescription pad that says something like, "Please see this patient for counselling." Insurance companies do not ask for the reason the referral is being made.

What Should I Ask a Prospective Psychologist?

You need to feel comfortable, respected, and understood. You also should feel that you can trust the psychologist and be honest with him or her.

The following questions may be useful when you first contact a psychologist:

Are you a registered psychologist?

What kind of experience do you have in helping people with...[my problems].

What will happen during our sessions?

How long is a therapy session?

What is your policy about privacy and sharing information?

What are your fees and how do I pay them?

To view our answers to these questions, please click on the highlighted word in the question.

Where Are Psychologists Available?

In private practice:

GPS is a Psychological Private Practice.
Also

See the yellow pages under "Psychologists"
or

Visit our Find a Therapist Page for listings of psychologists and therapists in Canada and the US.

In hospitals and community mental health centres:

In Halifax, see telephone directory under Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Mental Health Services.

In Bedford, Dartmouth, Sackville, see telephone directory under Nova Scotia Hospital, Mental Health Services

for addictions, see Blue pages in telephone directory under Provincial Government, Drug Dependency Services

Unfortunately, there are often lengthy waiting lists for these services.

Who Pays for Therapy?

Private or Group Insurance

Many people are covered by a supplementary health care plan (such as Blue Cross, Sun Life, or Maritime Medical) either through their employers or privately. Most such plans cover a portion or all of the cost of the services of a Registered Psychologist. Ask your benefits officer or insurance carrier for details. For more information about how to find out about your insurance coverage, please see Insurance.

The Consumer

Clients may pay directly for psychological services provided by psychologists in private practice. Fees of a Registered Psychologist are deductible as a medical expense for income tax purposes.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Many companies have these programs to help employees with a variety of problems. You may be able to see a psychologist through your EAP. Contact your supervisor or personnel department for information.

In Hospitals and Community Mental Health Centres

services are provided through government funding and are usually available without user fees.

What Happens in Psychotherapy?

While all clinical practices and clinicians differ, there are basic principles of counselling and therapy in psychology. For more detail about counselling and therapy offered at GPS, please see what happens during our sessions.

The first session is usually a consultation, which does not commit you to working with the psychologist. The therapist's goals are to understand the issues that led you to make an appointment, and to collect whatever background information may be helpful to working together. Your goals may include finding out whether this particular therapist is likely to be helpful and what direction counselling and therapy would take.

The first session should help you to determine whether you will feel comfortable working with the therapist. You should feel that you can trust and respect him or her and that he or she is understanding you. The therapist will also decide whether he or she is a good match for you. At times, a therapist may refer you to another therapist who may have different expertise or be able to work better with you.

After the initial, assessment stage, the rest of counselling or therapy is focussed on helping you understand and solve current problems, or helping you deal with your situation better. This may involve work toward changing emotions, thoughts, and behaviours.

The goals of counselling and therapy depend upon the concerns that lead you to seek help. The therapist will help you work toward these. The work of counselling and therapy differs, depending upon your particular goals, but in any case, it involves work on your part as well as the therapist.

How are Psychologists Regulated?

In Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology regulates the profession under the Psychologists Act of Nova Scotia. To become registered in the province, individuals must possess a doctoral or master's degree approved by the Board, have specified, supervised work experience, and passed both a written and oral examination.

By law, ONLY individuals who qualify and are approved by the Board may use the designation, "Psychologist".

Note: Unlike "Psychologist", which is governed by law, designations such as "Therapist" or "Counsellor" are not regulated by law and may therefore be used by anyone. No particular qualifications are required and no governing body is responsible for ensuring ethical standards such as confidentiality or appropriate training.

How is Privacy Protected?

Psychologists must ensure their clients' privacy and confidentiality.

All psychologists are required to maintain all information in confidence. They must not reveal any information you provide to anyone else without your permission.
Unless you give permission, family members, employers, physicians, or other individuals will not even be told even whether you are a client.
At GPS, we take additional steps to protect your privacy.

There are exceptions to confidentiality for all health professionals.

If you are a danger to yourself or others, your psychologist may be obliged to take action to prevent harm.
If you reveal information that leads the psychologist to believe that a child or elderly person may be subject to ongoing risk of abuse, all professionals are obliged by law to inform authorities.
If a court subpoenas your psychologist's records or testimony, he or she must comply. Courts very rarely, however, ask professionals to violate therapeutic confidentiality.
It may be necessary to breach confidentiality to collect payment for an account in arrears.

If you have any questions or concerns about confidentiality, please ask.