Psychiatrist vs Psychologist

Psychiatrist or psychologist, who does what?

Most people confuse the roles of a psychiatrist and a psychologist, so this is a video to clarify the difference between the 2, So you know who to go to for the type of help you need.

a psychiatrist is someone who has been to 4 years of medical school, and then afterward completed 4 years of specialized training in the field of mental Health. They have a medical degree, either an MD or a DO. Their main focus is typically on symptom and medication management. They prescribe medicine and then monitor how you and your body react to that medication, then adjust it accordingly. Some psychiatrists do some light therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, however not all do. Typically if a psychiatrist feels you need therapy, a psychiatrist will refer you to a therapist.

A psychologist typically has a PhD. They have focused their studies on how people think and behave. They are involved in research and sometimes do psychological testing, such as for ADHD and IQ. they are not medical doctors, and cannot prescribe medications. There is much more that psychologists do, but it is beyond the scope of this video.

Another professional role in mental health is that of a counselor/therapist. This is the person you go to to help learn coping skills and basically deal with life. Therapists can be certified in many different ways such as a social worker or Licensed Professional Counselor, but all of them have the same goal, which is to help you feel better. A therapist may feel you need medications and will then refer you to a psychiatrist. Usually you meet with your therapist more frequently than a psychiatrist.