A psychologist is a licensed practitioner who has extensive university-level training in the assessment and treatment of psychological difficulties. Psychologists are trained to provide counselling and psychotherapy, which are effective methods of helping people better understand themselves, reduce their psychological pain, improve their relationships with others, become more productive in their lives, and increase their feelings of happiness and well-being. Psychologists are experts in psychological processes, and provide scientifically- based therapeutic interventions in order to help people make positive changes in their lives.