Psychotherapy vs. Psychology: What’s the Difference ?

One of the most common questions I hear, often accompanied by a slightly puzzled look is, “What is psychotherapy? …Is that the same as psychology?”

If you’re here, you might be wondering the same thing. Maybe you’re also asking yourself, “Should I see a psychologist or a psychotherapist?”
It’s a thoughtful question, and an important one—because the answer really depends on the kind of support you're seeking and what you're hoping to find through the process.

To begin with, psychology is a science—the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour.

It’s rooted in research, evidence, and measurable outcomes. Psychologists use rigorous methods to understand how we think, feel, learn, and relate, drawing on decades of cognitive, behavioural, and neurological research. In Australia, registered psychologists are legally qualified to diagnose mental health conditions. That means they can assess and treat issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, and more, using structured approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), or other evidence-based frameworks.

When you see a psychologist, your experience will typically be grounded in clinical assessment and clearly defined treatment goals. There is often a focus on helping you manage symptoms, develop coping strategies, and return to a sense of stability and functionality. And for many people, this kind of approach can be effective, particularly if you’re dealing with specific mental health conditions and would benefit from a diagnosis or a Medicare-supported treatment plan.

Psychotherapy, by contrast, is not a medical model—it’s a relational one.

While it also draws on psychological theory, it’s less focused on symptoms or diagnoses, and more interested in your inner world—your history, your emotional landscape, and what’s asking for attention or healing.

Rather than asking “What are the symptoms?”

Psychotherapy gently explores:
“What has shaped you?”
“What are the patterns that are repeating?”
“How might your past experiences be influencing your present?”

A psychotherapist provides a space that’s less clinical and more relational. The focus is on building a sense of safety and trust in the therapeutic relationship itself, because it’s often within this human-to-human connection that deep healing takes place. Psychotherapy invites you to explore how past experiences have shaped your current thoughts, behaviours, and emotional responses. It’s not about labels, but rather making sense of your story, context, and meaning. While psychology leans on research and objectivity, traditionally, psychotherapy works with presence, connection, and the transformative power of being seen and understood.

That’s not to say psychotherapy isn’t grounded. It is deeply rooted in neurobiology and psychological theory. As an integrative psychotherapist, I draw on a range of therapeutic models— often combining neurobiology, developmental psychology, somatic therapies, and attachment theory. But at the heart of it, the work is grounded in the relationship. The space we create together becomes the container for healing: warm, respectful, and attuned to where you are at.

At times, we might gently explore how early experiences shaped your current ways of being—how you relate to others, your relationship to your emotions, how your past might be manifesting in your nervous system and body. Sometimes the healing lies in words. Other times, it’s about slowing down enough to feel, to notice, to listen inwardly—whether through felt sense, sensation, image, or emotion.

Psychotherapy in this form isn’t just about “feeling better”—it’s about becoming a more coherent and integrated version of yourself.

It’s about weaving together the parts of you that may have been fragmented by past experiences—parts that were silenced, exiled, or left behind in the desperation to protect, cope or survive. In our work together, we’re listening closely to what those symptoms might be trying to communicate. We explore how your thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and relational patterns are connected. We follow the thread of your lived experience, gently making sense of what’s felt confusing or overwhelming, so you can gradually move from reactivity to response, from disconnection to deeper self-understanding and acceptance.

So you might be wondering, which one is right for me?

The truth is, these paths aren’t mutually exclusive. Some practitioners are trained in both modalities and can bridge these approaches to suit your needs. If you’re not sure which path to take, that’s completely okay.

At the end of the day, the most important part of therapy isn’t the title of the therapist—it’s the relationship you build inside the room.

Research consistently shows that the strength of the therapeutic alliance—the trust, safety, and connection between therapist and client, is the most powerful factor in successful therapy. Whether you choose a psychologist or a psychotherapist, the right support should help you feel seen, understood, respected, and safe to be your authentic self, so you’re able to explore the edges of your awareness and gradually take the steps to change.