What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist?

Answer 1

A psychiatrist has a medical degree and prescribe medication.. A therapist usually has a degree in Psychology or Social Work.

Answer 2

psychiatrists are - as mentioned before by many - basically doctors, they have the right to prescribe medication, and they do, usually even before understanding what your real problem is. A therapist on the other hand, specializes in talking, and getting to the root of the problem. So, if you don't want to mess up your brain with drugs, it's probably best to go to a therapist first, and only if they cannot help you go to a psychiatrist.

Answer 3

A Psychiatrist is a Medical Doctor with a degree in medicine and an internship in Psychiatry. A therapist can be almost anyone, but usually is someone with either a Master's or Doctorate degree in Psychology which does not require a medical degree or a residency. Be aware the title "therapist" can be used by a Masseuse, a Chiropractor, a Social worker, etc.

Answer 4

A psychiatrist is a mental health doctor who can prescribe medications.

The term therapist is vague, but generally it's someone you do talk kind of therapy with. Two kinds of therapists basically: psychologist and social worker/councilor, the only difference is the former went to college for longer than the latter and are usually better at their job.

Answer 5

A psychiatrist is an MD (medical doctor) that has done his specialized training in abnormal psychology.

A therapist is a "Counselor" Generally the degree of education for a LMHP is a minimum of a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology.

psychologist in most states require a PhD in order to practice.. A PhD Psychologist can legal perform psychological testing for which they have training and can get reinbursed by most insurances companies for their services.

Counselors / Therapist often have much less training then psychologists but provide direct services in the way of counseling. They can not perform testing and often require someone in their practice with a PhD or MD to sign off on their charts to get insurance reinbursement.

Counselors / Therapists can come in a variety of types most have at least a masters degree in "counseling psychology", which is different training then "clinical psychology. The focus for the counselor/therapist is on "personality" and motivation. Where the focus for a Clinical psychologist is generally on abnormal psychology.

Most states now require LMHP (Licensed Mental Health Practioners) to have periodic testing or competencies along with continuing education verification to maintain their licenses.

CDAC is a Certified Drug / Alcohol Counselor can counsel without advanced degrees, as many are grandfathered by law.. However most new licensures require a minimum of a BA/MS depending on the state of residence.

Answer 6

The term Therapist is just a general categorised section of health . There are heaps of different kinds of therapists who can be found specialising in physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, speech pathology or audiology.

A psychologist is a therapist who has amedical degree, they specialise in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders. Their medical and psychiatric training prepares them to treat adults and children either individually, as part of and involving the family unit, and/or in a group setting. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications, if needed.

Answer 7

a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who is able to prescribe controlled and uncontrolled medicines to aid in recovery from most emotional disorders. many psychiatrists do therapy too.
my psychiatrist prescribes me medicine and also engages in talk therapy to help me sort out various issues in my life.
a therapist is not a medical doctor. he/she cannot prescribe medicines. a therapist usually has an advanced degree in counseling or social work. they are able to meet with patients to talk about feelings, emotions, fears, frustrations, relationships, etc. they can offer very valuable advice and are beneficial. however, my psychiatrist claims it's best to combine drug and talk therapy with the same person, namely a psychiatrist.

Answer 8

A psychiatrist is an MD with the ability to write medical prescriptions. A therapist may only have a college degree and does not have the ability to write medical prescriptions.

Answer 9

A therapist is a general term describing those who offer therapy. a psychiatrist has a medical degree and s/he is able to prescribe medications to the patient.

Answer 10

A psychiatrist is an MD; he or she has gone to medical school and specialized in psychiatry. A therapist doesn't go to med school. They can have a variety of degrees from a bachelor's in social work to a bachelor of science.