A psychologist is, according to the Turkish Psychological Association, a professional who has graduated from a psychology undergraduate program accepted by the Council of Higher Education (YOK) and who studies human behavior, thought and emotion on a scientific basis. The title clinical psychologist expresses scientific competence in the clinical psychology subfield of psychology; clinical psychologists work with psychological assessment and psychological intervention. Diagnosing a mental illness and evaluating medication treatment, in turn, are the work of a physician.
Who is a psychologist, and how does one become one?
According to the Turkish Psychological Association, the title of psychologist may be used by graduates of psychology undergraduate programs accepted by YOK, whether domestic programs or foreign programs recognized as equivalent. The association states that a master’s and/or doctoral degree does not, on its own, confer the title of psychologist. For the scope of psychology as a field of science, see the article What Is Psychology? Definition, Branches and Major Approaches.
What does a psychologist do, and where do psychologists work?
The Turkish Psychological Association states that Turkey has no exclusive professional law that defines the duties of psychologists as a whole, and that job descriptions are reflected in education, justice, national defense and health legislation in a scattered way. Health legislation mentions duties for psychologists such as administering tests and writing reports, patient interviews, psychological rehabilitation and crisis support.
According to the same source, psychologists can work in public institutions in fields such as health, education, justice, and family and social services, as well as in non-governmental organizations, psychotechnical centers, hospitals and clinics, university counseling centers and companies. On the Healthy Life Centers page of the Turkish Ministry of Health, psychologists are listed among the psycho-social support unit staff who provide mental health counseling, and psychological assessment is carried out by the psychologist.
Who is a clinical psychologist?
The Turkish Psychological Association defines the title of clinical psychologist as one that expresses scientific competence in the clinical psychology subfield of psychology, and states that the title can be verified with a master’s degree diploma. A 2018 letter from YOK is also relevant to diploma registration; the details are given on the association’s Frequently Asked Questions page.
In legislation, the clinical psychologist is referred to as a “health professional.” Additional Article 13 of Law No. 1219 defines the educational requirements and the scope of duties of the clinical psychologist; the Regulation on the Independent Practice of Health Professionals, published in the Official Gazette of March 29, 2025 (No. 32856), likewise lists clinical psychologists among health professionals.
According to the text of the law, the clinical psychologist carries out psychological assessment using objective and projective measurement tools and observation and interview techniques, and performs psychotherapy procedures in situations that are not defined as illness in international diagnostic and classification systems and that the Ministry of Health also finds appropriate. In situations of illness, psychotherapy practices are carried out only depending on the diagnosis and referral for treatment by the relevant specialist physician. The details of professional practices that can be performed independently or with the physician’s diagnosis and referral are determined by regulation. Legislation and practice may change; for the current text, the Official Gazette and the relevant professional organization can be consulted.
What does a clinical psychologist do?
According to the Turkish Psychological Association, clinical psychologists administer and interpret tests, provide training, and offer support in crises and disasters. In illnesses that fall between codes F00 and F99 of the ICD-10, they provide therapy and psychological support depending on the diagnosis and referral for treatment by the relevant specialist physician; in situations that are not defined as illness, they can carry out the psychotherapy practices they have been trained in.
In short, the clinical psychologist works with psychological assessment and psychological intervention; diagnosing mental illness and treatment with medication are the physician’s area. For general information on when psychological support can be considered, see When Can Psychological Support Be Considered?, and for what the first session covers, see What Is Covered in the First Session?. If a person is at risk of harming themselves or someone else, or if there is a medical emergency, they should contact the 112 emergency line or the nearest healthcare facility without delay.
Are a psychologist, a clinical psychologist and a psychotherapist the same?
No. The table below summarizes how the three terms differ according to the explanations of the Turkish Psychological Association.
| Criterion | Psychologist | Clinical psychologist | Psychotherapist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basis of the title | Graduation from a psychology undergraduate program accepted by YOK | Scientific competence in the clinical psychology subfield; verified with a master’s diploma | Therapy training and supervision in addition to scientific competence in clinical psychology or psychiatry |
| Main way of working | Duties such as administering tests, patient interviews, psychological rehabilitation and crisis support | Psychological assessment and testing; in situations regarded as illness, therapy and psychological support depending on the physician’s diagnosis and referral | Refers to competence in providing therapy |
| Point to note | A master’s or doctoral degree does not, on its own, confer the title | It cannot be assumed that every clinical psychologist is qualified to provide therapy | A separate title; a diploma and certificates can be requested when in doubt |
For the general framework of psychotherapy, see What Is Psychotherapy?. The table is a general summary; the use of titles and the scope of authority may vary according to legislation and practice. For the differences between a psychologist and a psychiatrist, see also the article What Is the Difference Between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?.
How can a person’s title be verified?
The Turkish Psychological Association states that the title of psychologist can be verified with an undergraduate diploma and the title of clinical psychologist with a master’s diploma, and that it does not keep registry records of psychologists, clinical psychologists or psychotherapists. When in doubt, it recommends asking for a diploma and certificates. For general information on confidentiality and the ethical framework, see How Are Confidentiality and the Ethical Framework Protected?.
Common misconceptions about psychologists and clinical psychologists
- “A psychologist diagnoses illnesses and prescribes medication.” Diagnosing a mental illness and evaluating medication treatment are done by a physician. According to the Turkish Psychological Association, in situations regarded as illness, a clinical psychologist works depending on the diagnosis and referral of the relevant specialist physician.
- “A clinical psychologist and a psychotherapist are the same person.” The association states that these two titles cannot be used interchangeably and that it cannot be assumed that every clinical psychologist is qualified to provide therapy.
- “Everyone who graduates from a psychology department is a clinical psychologist.” The association states that the title of psychologist can be verified with an undergraduate diploma and the title of clinical psychologist with a master’s diploma.
Expert note
Titles and areas of authority can look complicated at first glance; the basic distinction is this: the title of psychologist is associated with a psychology degree, the title of clinical psychologist with graduate-level competence in clinical psychology, and the title of psychotherapist with additional therapy training and supervision. Diagnosis and medication treatment are the physician’s area; the clinical psychologist carries out psychological assessment and applies psychological intervention within the conditions set by legislation.
From a perspective that draws on cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic theories, a person is considered together with their life story, relationships and recurring patterns. For information about the author’s professional perspective, see the About page. The information in this article is current as of October 23, 2026; legislation and YOK practices may change, and the information does not replace an individual assessment.
Clinical Psychologist Özgün Emre Yaylacı
Frequently asked questions
What education is required to become a psychologist?
According to the Turkish Psychological Association, graduating from a psychology undergraduate program accepted by YOK is required. A master’s and/or doctoral degree does not, on its own, confer the title of psychologist.
What is required to become a clinical psychologist?
The Turkish Psychological Association links the title of clinical psychologist to scientific competence in clinical psychology and states that it can be verified with a master’s diploma. The law also defines the educational requirements of the clinical psychologist separately; because YOK’s 2018 letter is also relevant to diploma registration, the Turkish Psychological Association and YOK sources can be consulted for details.
Are a psychologist and a clinical psychologist the same?
No. The title of psychologist is a more general title used with a psychology undergraduate degree; the title of clinical psychologist points to graduate-level competence in clinical psychology.
Are a clinical psychologist and a psychotherapist the same?
According to the Turkish Psychological Association, these titles cannot be used interchangeably. Psychotherapist is a title that may be used by people who have completed therapy training and supervision in addition to scientific competence in clinical psychology or psychiatry.
Does a psychologist diagnose illnesses or prescribe medication?
Psychologists carry out psychological assessment; diagnosing a mental illness and evaluating medication treatment are done by a physician. In situations regarded as illness, a clinical psychologist works depending on the diagnosis and referral of the relevant specialist physician.
How is a person’s title verified?
The title of psychologist can be verified with an undergraduate diploma and the title of clinical psychologist with a master’s diploma. The Turkish Psychological Association does not keep registry records; when in doubt, a diploma and certificates can be requested.
Sources
This article was prepared for general information; the following sources were used in preparing it (all in Turkish):
- Turkish Psychological Association: Frequently Asked Questions
- Official Gazette: Regulation on the Independent Practice of Health Professionals (March 29, 2025, No. 32856)
- mevzuat.gov.tr: Law No. 1219 on the Practice of Medicine and Allied Professions
- Turkish Ministry of Health, Healthy Life Centers: Mental Health Counseling
This article was prepared by Clinical Psychologist Özgün Emre Yaylacı. Last updated: October 23, 2026. The content is for general information only and does not constitute diagnosis, treatment or personal guidance.
