The Multi-Disciplinary Consultation: A Conspectus of the Many Viewpoints
‘I have always felt the need for a conspectus of the many viewpoints giving divergent opinions their view‘ – CG Jung
General Practitioner GP – A Doctor who is based in the community who treats patients with minor or chronic illnesses and refers those with serious conditions to a specialist or hospital.
Psychiatrist – A medical practitioner specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses from the perspective of the medical model. They can prescribe medication for a wide range of mental conditions including anxiety, depression or psychosis.
Paediatrician – A medical practitioner specialising in children and their challenges, difficulties and diseases
Social Worker– Social work is a practice-based profession and academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of safeguarding, social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are all fundamental.
Teacher – A person who imparts knowledge especially in a school and can be referred to as a tutor, pedagogue or educationalist and whose role it is to enable learning.
Youth Worker – Engages young people in activities that can be recreational, educational or social by nature or design. Youth work includes activities that intentionally seek to impact young people guiding and supporting them to reach their full potential in society
Mentor – A mentor can be an experienced and trusted support, or advisor. There are different forms of youth mentoring which involve a process of matching mentors with young people who need a caring responsible adult in their lives who can eb a valuable role model.
Clinical Psychologist – have undertaken a first degree in psychology and further training in applying psychological theories in a clinical setting. They make assessments of children’s abilities and may work with cognitive behaviour therapy techniques to treat children presenting with a variety of difficulties. They can make assessments evaluating and studying behaviour and mental processes. They can offer consultation, write reports and provide psychological treatment.
Educational Psychologist – Can apply psychological thinking and methodology to help children and young people to develop and learn to the best of their ability in all areas of their lives. They help children develop emotional wellbeing and resilience and can work with parents and carers, local authorities and other agencies concerned with social care and health. They also develop Education, Health and Care Planning (EHCP).
Play Therapist – Play Therapy is a way of helping children express their feelings and deal with their emotional problems, using play as the main communication tool. The symbolic meanings of his or her play are a medium for understanding the communication of the child
Art Therapist – Art Therapy is a professional approach to mental health treatment in which the client, being facilitated by the arts therapist, can use art media, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behaviour and mental health issues, develop social skills and orientation to reality.
Music Therapist – Music Therapy is the skilful use of music and musical elements by an accredited music therapist to promote, maintain and restore mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. Music has non-verbal, creative, structural and emotional qualities which can support development
Drama Therapist – Uses theatre techniques to facilitate personal growth and promote mental health. Dramatherapy is used in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, schools, mental health centres, prisons and businesses
Dance/Movement Therapy – is the therapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration of the individual, based on the premise that the body, mind and spirit are interconnected
Family Therapist – can provide a form of psychological therapy informed by systems theory that assists family members improve communication to resolve conflicts. Different areas of specialism can work with organisations, couples or families, considering, the social and cultural context.
Speech and Language Therapist – assesses and supports people with speech, language and communication difficulties helping them to express themselves better. They work with people who have eating or swallowing problems and can also work towards improving conversation and social skills.
Nurse – is trained to care for sick or infirm in hospital or other contexts.
Occupational Therapist – uses assessment and treatment to develop, recover or maintain daily living and work skills often for people with mental, physical or cognitive challenges, identifying and eliminating environmental barriers to independence and participation.
Psychoanalyst – is a person who practices psychoanalysis, applying a system of psychological theory which aims to treat mental disorders by investigating the interaction of conscious and unconscious elements in the mind and bringing repressed fears and conflicts into consciousness by techniques such as dream interpretation or free association
Osteopath – a person who uses a system of complementary medicine involving the treatment of medical disorders, through the manipulation of the skeleton and musculature to aid recovery from pain or osteopathic problems
Mental Health Nurse– Psychiatric nursing is an appointment in mental health who cares for people of all ages with mental illness or mental distress and can support to administer medication if required and work in organisational and community settings.
Homeopath – A practitioner of homeopathy uses a holistic system of complementary medicine in which ailments are treated by minute doses of natural substances that in larger amounts would produce symptoms of the ailments.
Complementary Health Practitioner – can offers therapies and treatments that can be prescribed in combination with treatment prescribed my medical doctors and can include: chiropractic techniques, osteopathy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage therapies and other alternative medicine treatments
Mental Health Worker – is responsible for providing support and services to individuals and families experiencing mental health issues. This may include confidential individual, family or group counselling, support for families dealing with mental health issues or referrals to treatment for individuals
Yoga Practitioner – Yoga cultivates health and wellbeing, (physical, emotional, mental and social) through the regular practice of a range of different techniques including postures and movement, breath awareness and breathing exercises, relaxation and concentration, self-inquiry and meditation.
Mindfulness Practitioner – facilitates awareness and consciousness through focusing on the here and now, present-centred and non-judgemental states of mind acknowledging and accepting feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations. They can use meditative techniques to support mental and emotional wellbeing which can reduce vulnerability to cognitive and emotional distress
Sports Therapist – provides healthcare that is concerned with the prevention of injury and the rehabilitation of the patient back to optimum levels of functional, occupational and sports fitness, regardless of age and ability.
Intermediaries for Justice – work within the justice system to enable vulnerable victims, witnesses, suspects and defendants to give complete, coherent and accurate evidence to police and to the courts. They can mediate, moderate and advocate for vulnerable people.
Sports Coach – may be a teacher or person involved with the instruction and training of the operations of sports, teams or individual people
Animal Assisted – An Animal Assisted Intervention can intentionally include or incorporates animals in health, education and human service for the purpose of therapeutic gains in humans. Animal assisted interventions incorporate human-animal teams in formal human service such as Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) or Animal Assisted Education (AAE)
Police – The police officer occupies a position in communities with the aim of ensuing safety and security. Policing is a unique job with unique demands. They are generally charged with the apprehension of criminals, the prevention and detection of crime, protection and assistance of the public and the maintenance of public order.