Assessment and diagnosis
Through structured conversations, observation, and validated psychological tools, they identify mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, or trauma-related disorders.
Therapy and counselling
They offer scientifically backed talking therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and behavioural therapy to help you work through what you are struggling with.
Research
Many psychologists are also active in academic or clinical research, studying how the mind works, how disorders develop, and which treatments are most effective.
Psychoeducation: they walk you and your loved ones through what a condition actually means, how it affects daily life, and what tools can help.
Rehabilitation
In clinical and neuropsychology settings, psychologists support recovery after brain injuries, strokes, or cognitive impairment.
Different Types of Psychologists
Psychology is a broad field, and different psychologists specialise in different aspects of mental health and human behaviour.
Clinical Psychologists are trained to assess and treat a wide spectrum of mental health conditions, ranging from common concerns like anxiety and depression to complex disorders like schizophrenia, PTSD, OCD, and autism spectrum disorder.
They work across all age groups, from children to older adults. A clinical psychologist in Gurgaon will hold an M.Phil in Clinical Psychology and must be registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). Out of all types of psychologists, only a clinical psychologist is legally qualified to give you a clinical diagnosis.
Counselling Psychologists share a lot of common ground with clinical psychologists, but they typically focus on the emotional struggles that come with everyday life: relationship troubles, work stress, life transitions, and mild to moderate mental health concerns rather than severe psychiatric conditions.
They also work with people across all age groups. A counselling psychologist in Gurgaon will typically hold a Master’s degree or a PhD in Psychology.
Child and Developmental Psychologists focus on emotional, behavioural, and cognitive development in children and adolescents. They work with concerns like learning difficulties, behavioural challenges, and childhood trauma, and usually hold a Master’s degree in child or developmental psychology.
Difference Between a Counselling Psychologist and a Clinical Psychologist
| Aspect |
Counselling Psychologist |
Clinical Psychologist |
| Primary Focus |
Everyday emotional difficulties, personal growth, life transitions |
Severe, complex, and chronic mental health conditions |
| Conditions Addressed |
Stress, grief, relationship issues, mild to moderate anxiety and depression |
Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe OCD, psychosis, personality disorders, trauma |
| Therapeutic Approach |
Humanistic, person-centred, existential, CBT |
CBT, DBT, schema therapy, psychodynamic therapy, neuropsychological interventions |
| Assessment and Diagnosis |
Limited assessment, not primarily diagnostic |
Extensive psychological testing, formal diagnosis, cognitive and risk assessment |
| Work Settings |
Private practice, corporates, NGOs, schools, community centres |
Hospitals, psychiatric units, rehabilitation centres, forensic settings |
| Qualifications (India) |
BA/BSc + MA/MSc in Counselling Psychology |
BA/BSc + MA/MSc + M.Phil in Clinical Psychology (RCI recognised) |
| RCI Registration (India) |
Not mandatory in most cases |
Mandatory to practise |
| Training Duration |
Shorter |
Longer and more regulated |