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

When you’re considering seeking mental health treatment, it can be hard to know where to begin. For starters, what type of provider should you see? How do you know if you need to go to a psychiatrist or a psychologist?

The dilemma of which to see isn’t a dilemma at all, says psychiatrist Leopoldo Pozuelo, MD. Both play an important role in mental health care.

Differences between a psychiatrist vs. psychologist

In many settings, mental health care falls into two broad roles: providers who can prescribe medication and those who primarily provide therapy.

“Psychiatrists typically fall into the prescriber category, while psychologists focus mainly on psychotherapy,” Dr. Pozuelo explains. “Both roles are essential — and often complementary — parts of comprehensive mental health care.”

Let’s take a closer look at the differences and similarities between the two.

Type of mental health focus

“You can think of psychiatry as the field of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions,” Dr. Pozuelo explains. “Whereas psychology is the study of the mind, emotions and behavior.”

Psychiatrists are medical doctors (physicians) who:

• Can diagnose and treat mental, emotional and behavioral conditions
• Can order or perform medical tests
• Can prescribe medication and provide other medical treatments
• Have training in medicine that helps them understand key mind/body connections

“As physicians, psychiatrists are trained to evaluate how mental health symptoms may relate to underlying medical conditions,” Dr. Pozuelo continues. “They can sort through overlapping symptoms to determine whether they stem from a psychiatric condition, a physical illness or a combination of both.”

Psychologists have a doctoral degree, but they aren’t medical doctors. They are mental health professionals who:

• Specialize in talk therapy (psychotherapy)
• Can perform psychological evaluations and psychological testing
• Do not prescribe medication or order medical tests

Many psychologists specialize in working with specific populations or concerns — like chronic pain, digestive disorders or neurological conditions — using evidence-based therapy approaches.

Education

Both psychiatrists and psychologists complete extensive training to practice in their fields. But one big difference between them is their educational background.

“Both types of providers have a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university,” Dr. Pozuelo says. “But from there, their paths diverge.”

Psychiatrists go on to:

• Complete four years of medical school, receiving either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree
• Complete a four-year psychiatry residency program — a postgraduate training under the supervision of experienced psychiatrists
• If they choose, add training via fellowships in specialties, like child and adolescent psychiatry, addiction psychiatry or forensic psychiatry

Psychologists take a different path. They:

• Pursue either a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in a field of psychology
• Complete a one-year full-time clinical internship
• Pass national and state-specific exams
• Typically complete at least one year of supervised practice under an experienced psychologist
• If they choose, add fellowship training in the psychological aspects of medical specialties, like cardiology, neurology, gastrointestinal diseases and cancer

Conditions each can treat

Psychiatrists typically treat complex mental health disorders that require medication or other medical treatments. This includes conditions like:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Dissociative disorders
• Mood disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder
• Schizoaffective disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Psychiatric conditions caused by underlying medical conditions

Both psychiatrists and psychologists can help with conditions that may respond to both medication and psychotherapy, like:

• Alcohol use disorder and other substance use disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Body dysmorphic disorder
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Gambling disorder
• Hoarding disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder
• Personality disorders
• Postpartum depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Sleep disorders

Psychologists can help you manage the thoughts, emotions and behaviors of daily life, whether or not they’re related to a mental health diagnosis. They can also help you through concerns like:

• Anger issues
• Family and relationship problems
• Grief and loss
• Living with a chronic illness
• Low self-esteem
• Phobias
• Stress management
• Trauma
• Unhealthy habits

How psychiatrists and psychologists work together

Many psychiatrists and psychologists work on teams together. And some people see both types of providers for ongoing mental health care.

“Many conditions benefit from both types of treatment,” Dr. Pozuelo explains. “Oftentimes, the best mental health care comes from combining their perspectives and approaches.”

Let’s say, for example, that you’re living with a severe anxiety disorder. You might see a psychiatrist who can prescribe and manage medications or other treatments to help improve your symptoms. You may also see a psychologist who helps you develop strategies to better manage life with anxiety.

How mental health care providers work together

In many healthcare settings, mental health professionals are part of larger care teams. That could mean your primary care doctor works closely with a therapist down the hall. Or that a psychiatrist collaborates with a psychologist to make sure you’re getting both medication support and therapy, if you need it.

“More healthcare systems now integrate mental health support directly into medical clinics, so emotional and physical health are treated together,” Dr. Pozuelo says.

Other providers may play a role, too:

• Advanced practice providers (APPs): Psychiatrists often work alongside other prescribers, like nurse practitioners or physician assistants. They can evaluate symptoms, diagnose conditions and prescribe medications.
• Therapists: Beyond psychiatrists and psychologists, other types of mental health providers include licensed social workers and licensed professional clinical counselors, who often fall under the heading of “therapists.” They can’t prescribe medication, but they can offer therapy and other mental health support.

In some clinics, for example, a social worker or counselor may meet with you first to talk through your concerns and determine what kind of care to start with. If your needs are more complex, they may connect you with a psychiatrist. If therapy is the main focus, you might work with a psychologist or advanced therapist with a specific expertise.

“This team-based approach is used in collaborative care,” Dr. Pozuelo says. “For you, it simply means you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Your providers work together to make sure you’re getting the right level of support.”

Which should you see?

When you’re trying to figure out which type of mental health provider is right for you, the best place to start is often with your primary care provider. They can talk through the options and help you determine who to see.

Plus, psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health providers often refer patients to one another. So, if you see one type of provider and they think you’d benefit from working with another, they can help you make that connection.

There are a lot of options and possibilities. But try not to feel overwhelmed, and don’t be deterred from seeking care.

“You don’t necessarily need to know right away which type of mental health provider is right for you,” Dr. Pozuelo reassures.

“Start with a provider you trust, and let them help guide you. The most important thing is to get started — so you can get the care you need.”