“Oh, my daughter is a psychologist too!” my seatmate gushed when I told him that I was a psychiatrist. As I settled into a long-haul overnight flight, I didn’t feel pressed at that moment to highlight the differences between the two oft-confused professions.

Indeed, ask the average person what a “shrink” is or to differentiate between the roles of a psychologist and a psychiatrist, and expect to receive a host of different answers.

While both psychiatry and psychology deal with the assessment and treatment of individuals with a wide-range of mental health needs, there are important differences worth noting between the two fields as well as their practitioners. It’s especially important for the individual left wondering: should I see a psychologist (or another kind of psychotherapist) or a psychiatrist?

So, What’s the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist?

What is a psychiatrist?

At the most basic level, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medications while a psychologist treats mental health problems through non-medication means (i.e., psychotherapy or “talk therapy”).

Psychiatrists must first attend medical school for four years and then complete at least another four years of specialty training in psychiatry. Typically, the first year of psychiatry training includes training in internal medicine, neurology, and pediatrics ensuring that psychiatrists are attuned to all the bodily systems and functions. Comprehensive medical training prepares psychiatrists to identify a wide differential of potential diagnoses, including the category of “medical mimics,” or medical conditions that masquerade as psychiatric disorders.

Psychiatrists are also trained to provide an array of evidence-based psychotherapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). And, while a majority of psychiatrists go on to focus their practice on the treatment of mental disorders through medications alone (often referred to as “medication management” or “pharmacotherapy”), some psychiatrists may choose to practice psychotherapy alone or with a combination of medications and psychotherapy (“combination therapy”).

What is a psychologist?

Psychologists, on the other hand, do not attend medical school and are not medical doctors; instead, they attend graduate school — often spanning 5-8 years — to obtain a doctoral degree, such as a Ph.D. or a Psy.D., and specialize in assessing and treating mental health disorders through a variety of non-pharmacological interventions and psychotherapies. Many psychologists are also specially trained in psychological testing, administration, and interpretation.

Not all psychotherapists are psychologists. However, some psychotherapists, for example, are licensed clinical social workers or mental health clinicians who are also skilled in providing a variety of psychotherapies. Regardless of their professional background, most psychotherapists across the United States cannot prescribe medications (with the exception of psychologists who meet specific criteria in Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico).

Confusing? Maybe a bit. But, here’s the general rule of thumb: psychiatrists and psychologists may both practice psychotherapy, but only psychiatrists — much like any medical doctor — can prescribe medications like antidepressants or anxiolytics (think: Prozac or Zoloft).

Also, bear in mind that many psychiatrists and psychologists do not operate in silos. In fact, they frequently collaborate together (and refer to one another) — even when not working in the same physical space — to provide the best therapeutic modalities for their patients. They may even work together on the same platform like Talkspace. It is quite common for individuals to be treated by a psychologist or psychotherapist as well as a psychiatrist, depending on their clinical needs.

Is psychiatry better than psychology?

Both psychiatrists and psychologists are mental health professionals who devote their careers to improving the mental health and wellbeing of individuals. Depending on your particular needs and situation, one may be better equipped to help you than the other. Psychiatrists tend to be more appropriate for severe mental health treatment as they are able to prescribe medication alongside psychological treatment. Most psychologists can only provide non-medical therapy, but are still highly beneficial for less severe mental health concerns.

When Should You See a Psychiatrist vs. a Psychologist?

Generally speaking, here are a few instances in which it makes sense to seek out a psychiatrist:

1. You are specifically looking for or have been told by a medical professional that you need medications to treat a mental health condition
2. You have uncertainty about what is causing your symptoms or what’s underlying the main problem (for example, depression can be caused by a host of medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism or a neurologic problem, which a psychiatrist — who has a broad medical background — is well-positioned to identify
3. You have a complicated medical history and/or a more severe mental health problem, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, which frequently entails medication management as part of the treatment.

If none of the above apply to you and you are specifically looking for treatment that does not include medications, then seeking out a psychologist or psychotherapist may be just the right path. Mild levels of anxiety and depression, for example, are routinely treated effectively with psychotherapy alone and without the use of medications.

Of course, these are broad generalizations. What makes sense for one person may not make sense for another. The most important thing is that you receive the treatment that is most beneficial for you.

If your mental health is suffering, consider trying Talkspace online psychiatry — a convenient, inexpensive way to get back on track.

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