physchiatrist and a psychologist?

Question

What's the difference between the two? Which do you think is better? Can they both prescribe meds? Do they both do therapy?

Answer 1

A Physchiatrist is actually a doctor that can prescribe Meds.
A psychologist is more of a thearpist

Answer 2

Both can do therapy. A psychologist can only do therapy (in most states). A psychiatrist can provide scripts and do therapy. However, most will send you to a therapist or psychologist for any therapy. Some states do allow a psychologist to prescribe meds.

Which is better depends a great deal on the problem. For behavior modification a therapist or psychologist is probably best. For mental health disorders where a chemical imbalance is the root cause medication is required to restore the chemicals to a proper balance. In that case a psychiatrist is best. For some problems medication and therapy work well together. For that a combination of a psychiatrist and a therapist/psychologist would be best.

Note that a psychologist is better educated that a therapist and will therefore cost more. Psychiatrists are the most educated and most expensive.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Terry

Answer 3

A psychiatrist prescribes medication. Most of the time when you go to see one, the talk to you for about 5 seconds, asking you a few questions like "are you hearing any voices", "how have your moods been", etc. Then they give you a script for whatever your on and charge you $300 for the 10 to 15 mins you sit in their office.
A psychologist is more like a therapist. They ask you questions to try and find out what is wrong with you in the first place and decide if they think you need meds. If they think you do, they will send you to psychiatrist because they can't prescribe meds.
If you want just one to one psychotherapy, you should probably go to a councilor. Both of the above can do "talk therapy" but for the most part they don't bother.

Answer 4

A psychiatrist has a medical degree, and can prescribe medications. A psychologist cannot prescribe (at least not in most states, there may be some limited exceptions...)
Both CAN do therapy, but because of insurance issues, etc, many psychiatrists choose not to.
I am a family doctor, and for most depression and anxiety I treat the patients myself. Sometimes I suggest the patient also get therapy from a psychologist if there are issues at play that won't be addressed by meds. Really severe/refractory cases, or patients with true psychosis, I'll send to a psychiatrist.

Answer 5

A psychiatrist is an MD and could prescribe medications. A psychologist has a doctoral degree and primarily does therapy. Technically, a psychiatrist could as well, but their assistance seems to be sought more so for medication management. I believe there are some states that do allow psychologists to prescribe medications, however, it is primarily the psychiatrist. As far as which one is better, that is up to the patient. A psychologist will listen openly to the problems and provide feedback, whereas a psychiatrist is usually there for medicinal purposes. The two work hand-in-hand.

Answer 6

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor that has specilized in psychiatry and a psychologist is a person with a master's degree sometimes a phd. A psychiatrist is the one that can prescribe medication. A psychologist is the one that does all of the testing and stuff to determine your level of functioning. The biggest difference between the two of them is that a psychiatrist makes about $100+ dollars per year and a psychologist only makes about $50 or so.

Answer 7

Psychiatrist is a medical dr, a psychologist is not they are usally PHd's.

Only like two states let psychologits perscribe meds at this time

Both can do therapy, but many Physchiatrists will send you to a Psychologist for this as they may not have time.

Answer 8

Both do therapy but only a psychiatrist can prescribe medication. A psychiatrist has an MD degree while a psychologist usually has a Phd.

Answer 9

A psychiatrist has a medical degree and can, therefore prescribe many more kinds of medications.

When you ask which is better, the answer depends on the need of the patient. Do you hire a crane to change a tire or do you use a jack? Do you use an two inch socket to loosen a quarter inch nut?

You use the appropriate tool for the job.

Answer 10

A psychiatrist is a licensed medical doctor and can prescribe medication. Some also do "talk" therapy.

A psychologist cannot legally prescribe medication. They specialize in various forms of psychotherapy. Generally, psychologists have doctorate or master's degrees -- in psychology, clinical psychology, or social work, not in medicine -- and are licensed by the state.