Career help?

Question

Okay, what degree do I need or should I get? I want to become a psyciatrist,... I want to be able to prescribe medicines to patients and such, but I also want to do clinical, and counsel patients who need help. Is this possible to do both, or only one?

Answer 1

Psychiatrist are doctors, so you will be going to medical school for this, no other way around it. Psychiatrist do some counseling, but not a whole lot. They usually analyze lab work results to see if there's any chemical imbalance in the patient, and then of course talk to them about their symptoms and then prescribe medication. I don't think they do any long-term counseling to try and help them with their illness.

The professions that counsel are clinical psychologists, Marriage & Family Therapist (only in CA), and Social Workers. Clinical psychologists actually do more testing, meaning they do intelligence testing, or personality testing, or disability testing. Psychologists are allowed to prescribe mediciation, however, I believe it either needs to be undersigned by a medical doctor, or there's restrictions to what kind of medication the Psychologist can prescribe. Every state is different and has different regulations on who can prescribe medication. It can be possible also for the Psychologist to work in conjunction with a medical doctor or a Psyciatrist to perscribe the medication.

But, Psyciatrist, you need a MD.

Answer 2

Yes it is possible to do both. I think that you have to have a medical degree (since you will be prescribing meds).

Answer 3

Clinical psychology?

Answer 4

research all the different schools in your area/city. see what classes/programs they offer. talk w/a counselor there. they can help you out. they deal w/this stuff daily.

Answer 5

do a double degree