-By Timothy Lyons
Psychologist versus Psychiatrist, they have similarities and differences. These two can often be confused. Is there really a difference? The main difference is that a psychiatrist is a licensed medical doctor. In order to become a psychiatrist one must have gone to medical school. A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who graduated from medical school. They went through a medical internship became a licensed doctor. Then the psychiatrist attended a residency in training for diagnosis and treatment of mental health related problems. Being a licensed medical doctor, the psychiatrist has the ability to prescribe medications. Although most states do not allow a psychologist to prescribe psychotropic medications, Illinois, Louisiana and New Mexico do allow psychologists to prescribe medications but only after receiving special training.
To be a psychologist one must hold a doctoral degree, either a PsyD, PHD or Ed.D in psychology. The degree may be in clinical psychology and the specialty could vary. The typical psychologist would have to do an internship for 3000 or more hours which would take about two years. Then the psychologist would have to pass state exams to become licensed. By the time this is over the psychologist is trained in the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
Psychologist versus Psychiatrist
Typically both, psychologist versus psychiatrist, are trained in the use of therapeutic techniques. These techniques have uses in the treatment of any number of mental health disorders. The manner in which one or the other treat a patient is in context with the philosophy and training that they have received.
The psychologist is interested in the behaviors that the patient exhibits. They can help to change those behaviors as a means to treatment. In many cases they might address issues of sleep eating and even irrational thought patterns that have become pathological. That have become a problem in the patients everyday life.
In the case of the psychiatrist, the diagnosis and treatment would be more along the biological level. The diagnosis is performed using the medical model of treatment. It would include the use of psychotropic medications. The psychiatrist is more inclined to use medical solutions or combine them with therapy in order to be most effective.
How Different Are They
Psychologist versus Psychiatrist, is it really fare to show them as different. In many ways they work together to solve the same issues. Since the Psychiatrist can provide medication, they might spend more time dealing with a patient’s medication issues. This helps in treatment so that therapy can be more effective. In this case the psychiatrist might then refer the patient to a psychologist so that they can then concentrate on the therapeutic relationship and use psycho therapeutic techniques to work with the client.
Even though there are differences, in the end, these two types of persons who are in the human services industry are primarily working toward the same goal, the mental wellness of clients. The oaths they take and the ethics codes by which they stand help in the work that they do. Each has s unique practice and take in the helping professions and each can be a great value in the area of mental health.