Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist: A Comparison of Roles and Approaches
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
Psychiatrists and psychologists are both mental health professionals, but they have different training, approaches, and roles in mental health treatment. You may have questions like, “Can a psychologist prescribe medication?” This post intends to clarify the different roles and also help you determine how to move forward in finding the care you need.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed medical school (M.D. or D.O.) as well as a residency in psychology. They are trained in medicine as well as mental health and so can prescribe medication, including antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.
However, psychiatrists aren’t the only providers who can prescribe psychiatric medication. Other medical professionals, including psychiatric nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, and general practitioners can also prescribe.
Psychologists
Psychologists typically hold a doctoral-level degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology and receive extensive training in research and clinical practice. Psychologists are trained to evaluate and treat mental health conditions. Psychological services include talk therapy and other non-medical treatments, including psychological testing. There are several types of psychologists including clinical psychologists, developmental psychologists, and school psychologists.
Generally speaking, psychologists do not prescribe medication. However, in a few U.S. states and jurisdictions, licensed psychologists with additional training and certification may have limited prescribing authority for certain medications. This is not the case everywhere, so it’s important to check local regulations.
Other Types of Psychotherapists
There are several other types of practitioners who also offer therapy and counseling services. These include:
Social Workers: Social workers typically hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) and are trained to help individuals, families, and communities address a wide range of social and emotional challenges. Social workers also provide therapy and counseling services and you’ll often see LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) after their name.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) are trained professionals who specialize in providing therapy to couples and families. They have completed a master's degree program and use their training to help clients navigate mental health struggles with talk therapy and other modalities.
Counselors: A counselor provides support and guidance to individuals by helping them explore their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors in a safe and nonjudgmental environment, typically holding a master's degree in counseling or a related field. Counselors often have LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) or LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) after their name.
“Therapists” is a broader term that can refer to various types of mental health professionals, including psychologists, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), marriage and family therapists (MFTs), and clinical social workers. If you’re not sure what type of training your therapist has, feel free to ask!
Collaboration
In this field, it’s common to see collaboration of mental health treatment between therapists and psychiatrists. All of these roles can provide talk therapy like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). But only those with a medical degree (like psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, etc) can prescribe medications. Therefore, a common model of care is for therapists to collaborate with psychiatrists in providing holistic treatment. For example, together with her therapist, a patient may decide that she’d like to explore medication for treatment of her anxiety. In this case, her psychologist could recommend a psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse practitioner in order to retrieve a prescription.
This collaborative approach is sometimes referred to as combination therapy and it’s widely recognized as an effective treatment strategy for many mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. Psychologists and psychotherapists are trained to be able to monitor the ongoing treatment progress and provide support to the patient during this process.
Sarah Van Nostrand, Psy.D and Moonrise Therapy
My name is Sarah Van Nostrand and I am a licensed clinical psychologist. I earned my Psy.D degree in clinical psychology from The Wright Institute in Berkeley, California. I currently own my own private practice, Moonrise Therapy, located in Evanston, Illinois. I have training in the theory and practice of psychotherapy and experience in collaborative care and combination therapy. I have existing relationships with psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners with whom I collaborate for patient care.
Looking for Therapy Near Me
If you're seeking compassionate, personalized therapy that values collaboration and holistic care, I invite you to reach out and schedule a consultation. Together, we can explore your needs and develop a plan forward. I would be honored to talk with you.
