I love Bob Newhart, who played that role, but I would never have asked him to treat anybody I cared about. I must admit, though, the end of his second series (the one in the Vermont inn) was the best ending of a series I've ever seen.
He was definitely of the school of therapy where one asked guiding questions and let the patient figure out their own problems.
I prefer the Dr. Laura method, where you come in knowing you need a swift kick in the pants and you get one.
Richard managed to combine both topics of this discussion - if he said things like that in front of a group of psychologists, he'd get a bar fight.
Psychologists, whether clinical or counseling, have Ph.D.s and have all the education, training, and experience needed to serve patients. Unless the patient has an attack of appendicitis during the session, they don't need a "full M.D." to do anything. In the states I'm familiar with, you have to be licensed to be a psychologist and see patients. In some jurisdications, psychologists can prescribe drugs; I don't know enough about the licensing process to decide if I like that idea or not.
Clinical and counseling psychologists see patients, conduct testing, and provide medical interpretations regarding their clients.
It's unfair and condescending to suggest that someone who's gone through a Ph.D. program to learn the workings of the human brain is somehow less competent to practice behavioral medicine than someone who went through a medical program and spent one rotation learning about the brain.
To provide more insight for the OP, there's a type of difficult patient that's known as the "yeah, but." Constructive advice from the doctor is always dismissed because it somehow isn't useful to the patient in their situation.
"Maybe you should quit smoking."
"Yeah, but then I'll start eating compulsively. Last time I tried to quit I gained twenty pounds."
"Maybe you should talk to your daughter about your suspicions regarding her drug use."
"Yeah, but we just don't communicate well. She already hates me."
"Maybe you should get the hell out of my office until you're ready to commit to something that will improve your life."
"Yeah, but this sofa is soooo comfy..."