Mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists and therapists, are experts in how the mind works. When your mind is unwell it can affect your well-being, but also your behaviors. When it comes to mental health there are a few different types of professionals who can help, which is wjy it makes sense to better understand the differences between psychologists and psychiatrists.
It is not to say what is better: a psychologist or psychiatrist, but instead, to understand when each professional is most helpful or appropriate. The difference between psychologist and psychiatrist can be better understood by defining both professions, how they treat and operate overall.
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When it comes to the differences between psychologists and psychiatrists, there are a few main things to look out for. Psychiatrists are specialists who prevent, diagnose and treat mental disorders. Psychologists are medical doctors, and they complete four years of medical school and an internship for one year. Psychiatrists are also doctors and are required to go to medical school.
Because both professions require extensive education and training, these professionals can both differentiate underlying medical conditions from mental illnesses. Both professionals monitor how mental problems affect people’s physical conditions, and how mental problems go along with physical conditions.
The differences between psychologists and psychiatrists lies primarily in licensing to prescribe medications in relation to treating anxiety, depression, and other mental conditions. Psychiatrists specifically prescribe medications. When medications aren’t enough, a psychiatrist may refer their clients to therapists such as psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, and marriage counselors.
There are three main areas in which psychiatry and psychology differentiate. These three areas are treatment, education, and practice. Each has similar aspects when it comes to psychiatry and psychology, but they are also different.
Psychiatrists are trained, medical doctors. They can prescribe medications, and often spend a lot of time working on patient medication management. They design treatment plans and focus on treating mental disorders with the use of medication.
Another of the differences between psychologists and psychiatrists comes from level of education. Both psychiatrists and psychologists often attend medical school and are trained in general medicine, but psychologists are not always required to.
Psychiatrists, after earning an MD, must go into four years of residency training. This is done specifically in psychiatry, and their experience usually involves working in the psychiatric unit of a hospital. This training provides the opportunity to work with various patients. Whether those are children or adolescents, or individuals with behavior disorders, as well as adults with cases of mental illness.
It is common that patients will first go to a primary physician for a referral. After this, the patient might work regularly with a psychologist. This will allow them to understand their behavioral patterns, and use medication when necessary.
When you think about what is the job of a psychologist, it is important to note that it is more about emotional and mental health rather than medication. Psychologists focus mainly on psychotherapy and treating suffering.
When this comes to treatment, behavioral intervention is commonly used. Psychologists are also able to conduct psychological testing. This helps to assess your mental state and to determine the best course of action in terms of treatment. Overall it is essential to have this form of assessment otherwise you may be misdiagnosed.
Psychologists must obtain a Ph.D. or PsyD doctoral degree. This can take up to four or six years. Through this education, there are a few main focuses of study. These include:
During graduate school, psychologists will learn how to diagnose mental and emotional disorders, After this schooling, there is a required internship that can last anywhere from one to two years. This exposure can offer insight into:
After the internship has been completed there will be a required period of work experience. This is done under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional.
It is common that psychologists often refer their patients to psychiatrists. In this case, the psychiatrist will prescribe and monitor medication. Then these two professionals are able to work together to treat symptoms from behavioral and clinical standpoints.
Adding a further wrinkle to the differences between psychologists and psychiatrists, comes the profession of therapist. In general, therapists are similar to that of a psychologist, but they are not doctors. Therapists must have at least a master’s degree, and they can typically diagnose and treat mental conditions. Despite this, it is important to note that therapists are not doctors and can not prescribe medications. The main purpose of a therapist is to help people understand their feelings and thoughts. Then the next stage is to make changes to improve themselves and develop life skills.
Individual counseling is a one-on-one session that involves sitting down with a therapist or psychologist. This is a private meeting and requires complete confidentiality for the patient. Whether these sessions are short-term or long-term, they can also be used in conjunction with medication from a psychiatrist. Overall, the psychologist, therapist, or counselor should help you to learn tools and skills to fix your problems. You might also set goals and obtain guidance on how to handle situations.
Benefits from individual therapy include:
By going to group counseling sessions you can interact with other people who struggle with the same issues as yourself. Oftentimes these groups will include a number of clients along with one or two psychologists, therapists, or counselors. Discussions will often take place with a psychologist or counselor facilitating the conversation. Benefits of group therapy include:
Family therapy offers the chance to discuss things with a psychologist present. Especially if there has been a life-changing event within the family, this can mean that family therapy will be extremely helpful. Family counseling can help your family move past the event together.
Despite this, there does not need to be one single event that is the catalyst for your family to need counseling. Life can be stressful and cause it to be difficult to have good communication between members. When fights occur, the best way to fix this tension is to go to therapy with a psychologist. Reasons to go to family therapy:
Through these sessions, members of the family will learn how to be better communicators. Through problem solving and communication you can then learn how to effectively move forward. Family counseling also allows you to air your grievances respectfully. You can learn to do so kindly which helps to prevent hurt feelings and promotes understanding.
It can be difficult to always do the right thing for your child. If you are unsure if your child can benefit from teen or child counseling, they most likely will. Parents or loved ones might assume that odd behavior is a change in hormones or other childhood normalcy. Despite this, if your child seems different, teen counseling might be the best choice to help. Signs to look out for that your child may need teen counseling includes:
Reasons your child might need teen counseling include:
Known as DBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a specific form of group therapy. It teaches proven skills that help people learn how to handle overwhelming emotions. It can also help you to learn how to handle recurring thoughts or worries. Overall, it is a method of treating mental health conditions. Sometimes it can also teach patients how to handle difficulties maintaining boundaries in their relationships.
DBT groups are very common and can make life easier by teaching skills that help you to make difficult decisions in your life. There are four sections of DBT. These include:
We hope these differences between psychologists and psychiatrists have helped if you are trying to decide whether or not you should work with either of these medical professionals or with a therapist as well. The main difference is that one can prescribe medication and the other focuses on emotional well-being. Ask yourself whether you need talk therapy or something more serious that requires medication. This can allow you to talk to the right professional to get the help that you need.
Contact us today at Rehabs Of Armerica to learn more about which is right for you. It is never too late to start treatment.
Edward lives and works in South Florida and has been a part of its recovery community for many years. With a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Massachusetts, he works to help Find Addiction Rehabs as both a writer and marketer. Edward loves to share his passion for the field through writing about addiction topics, effective treatment for addiction, and behavioral health as a whole. Alongside personal experience, Edward has deep connections to the mental health treatment industry, having worked as a medical office manager for a psychiatric consortium for many years.
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