2006-07-18 15:27:50 · 20 answers · asked by Bryan S 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
a psychiatrist attended medical school and has an MD (and could have been a surgeon, a family doc, a pediatrician, etc). Psychiatrists are licensed to prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists ONLY prescribe meds; others also act as therapists. Psychiatrists are trained in psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, etc) as residents. Some hone these skills and are great therapists; some have little interest and spend much more time doing research.
A psychologist can have different levels of training. Some have Masters Degrees in Counseling or Social Work. Some have PhDs or PsyDs and are also called "Dr." but are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medications (except in a few cases). Psychologists are trained as therapists although some are primarily researchers as well. Psychologists are trained to administer all sorts of psychological tests such as IQ tests, memory tests, personality tests, etc (psychiatrists are not trained to do this).
2006-07-18 17:29:56 · answer #1 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Psychiatrist: MD or DO who did a 3 year residency after medical school in psychiatry. Can prescribe medications.
Psychologist: PhD who studied 3 years after college and did a dissertation. Cannot prescribe meds now, but may be able to in the future.
2006-07-18 22:33:24 · answer #2 · answered by mbez1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A psychologist is a doctor that you talk to about your feelings and problems and try to work it all out with different activities.
A psychiatrist is a doctor that makes a diagnosis of your problem and then prescribes medication to fix it.
2006-07-18 22:32:23 · answer #3 · answered by Mischelle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A psychiatrist has a medical degree (MD) and is a licensed physician capable of prescribing medication. A pyschologist has a PhD (Dr of Philosophy) or LiCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) and can act as a therapist, but cannot prescribe medication.
2006-07-18 22:32:16 · answer #4 · answered by Archangl508 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A psychiatrist listens to you and your problems. Sometimes they will have you do exercises to ease your troubles. But they don't deal with medicine. They will direct you to a psychologist if they find it necessary.
A psychologist prescribes medication. They listen to you and your troubles, but at usually antsy to give you medicine. These doctors are typically found in mental homes.
2006-07-18 22:33:37 · answer #5 · answered by sthomas27 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A psychiatrist is able to prescribe drugs. A psychologist cannot.
2006-07-18 22:32:53 · answer #6 · answered by allannela 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are both doctors, however a psychiatrist can prescribe medications. A psychologist cannot.
2006-07-18 22:33:38 · answer #7 · answered by Kimmy K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a psychiatrist is a medical doctor with a specialization in mental health
the psychologist is know to work with mind, brain and emotions, body too, they can really help without medications
2006-07-18 22:36:59 · answer #8 · answered by RENE H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a physcologist helps you work out your problems by helping you set goals and getting you to talk about it, and getting in touch with your inner feelings
a phyciatrist will listen to your problems and say "here try this and if this dont work come back in 30 days and ill give you something else"
2006-07-18 22:32:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Psychologist helps with life issues, psychiatrist helps with mental issues.
2006-07-18 22:30:37 · answer #10 · answered by Dasher 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋