Psychotherapy
Psychological assistance can be provided by practitioners of different qualifications : psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy. One branch complements the other each having its own specificity.
The psychiatrist is first and foremost a doctor, therefore he can prescribe medecins. He specialises in mental illnesses which he can treat by either by pharmaceutical or by psychotherapeutic methods.
The psychologist has studied psychology at university. He or she mainly works by the spoken word but may also use drawings, psychological tests and games.
The psychotherapist has followed courses in psychotherapy amongst which: analysis, systems, behaviour, gestalt and short term therapy. The title of psychotherapist is not yet recognised under Belgian law unlike the psychiatrist and psychologist. The psychotherapists, although having different approaches and working methods aim at bringing about change in attitudes, actions, relationships and behaviour which are the cause of the patient’s suffering.