5 differences between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Answer 1

The main difference between a Psychologist & a Psychiatrist is:
a Psychiatrist is a M.D. & can prescribe drugs & a Psychologist has a Ph.D.. They both can see people for Therapy.

Answer 2

same question i had a while back because i want to be either one...

1) a psychologist cannot prescribe medicine while a psychiatrist can

2) the education required is different because a psychologist has a phd while a psychiatrist has an MD making the psychologist a doctor of philosophy and the psychiatrist a medical doctor (hence the reason a psychiatrist can prescribe medicine) which means a psychiatrist muct go to medical school which takes perhaps eleven years overall...a psycholigst is eight.

3) a psychologist deals more with counseling and talking to people..a psychiatrist works with classified mental illnesses that are very serious as opposed to emotional problems which the psychologist deals with.

4) a psychiatrist gets paid somewhere in the 100,000's while a psychologist may get a little over 60,000 depending where you work and what kind of psychologist you are (clinical or counseling--clinical works with classified clinical issues)

5) a psychiatrist usually works in a hospital environment or they can have their own practice..a psychologist's work area varies more than a psychiatrists..you can be a school psychologist or a clinical psychologist...criminal....or even work for celebrities (if you really think its worth it--if your working for money)..and you salary will vary depending where you work.

Answer 3

A Psychiatrist has gone to medical school, and has a title M.D. behind his/her name. With a psychiatrist you are likely to get very short therapy sessions, usually 15 minutes or less and sometimes only a couple times a year. They are mainly in business to sell drugs to their patients. They are licensed drug dealers, and they will do whatever they can to convince you that you need to take as many drugs as possible to get through the day.

A Psychologist is someone who has not been to medical school, but rather a graduate program at a university. Usually they have a title of M.S., M.A., or PhD. behind their name. They cannot prescribe medication unless they are also a nurse practioner. Generally a psychologist will spend more time with each of their patients, and talk things out, etc. They are not involved too much with medications and often times people go to psychologists without taking any medications. For some people just talking to someone will help them through their particular problem.

Answer 4

The differences are becoming slimmer and slimmer

Psychiatrist - MD - has gone to medical school - can prescribe medications

Psychologist - PhD or PsyD - doctor of philosophy in psychology

A recent trend has emerged which enables psychologists in *2* states to prescribe medications. Other states are petitioning to have the priviledge extended there as well. If this happens, the need for psychiatrists will be greatly reduced.

There isn't a difference in the types of patients dealt with - both treat clients with problems ranging from very mild to very severe.

Answer 5

Psychologist:
1. Gets paid to listen
2. Gets paid less
3. Is not a medical doctor (does not give out drugs), but a Ph.D. or a Psy.D.
4. Has more training in therapeutic techniques
5. Is more effective (in my opinion)

Psychiatrist:
1. Gets paid to give out drugs for mental/emotional problems
2. Gets paid more
3. Is a medical doctor (MD), learns about the body in school
4. Is not as familiar with counseling techniques/the mind
5. Endorsed by drug companies to be a "pill pusher"

Personally, I think psychologists do more for less pay. They are the ones that help people get their acts together while psychiatrists just give people pills (that, many times, are not even very effective).

Answer 6

A psychiatrist is actually an MD--medical doctor. He has to graduate medical school and become a licensed physician before he studies psychiatry and becomes a psych. So, being an MD, he can prescribe meds, while a pychologist cannot. A psychologist has a PhD degree, which usually takes about three years or so after getting and undergrad degree. (B.A.) Usually, psychyatrists do assessments on clients, and maybe prescribe meds, but if the client want therapy he is referred to a psychologist.

Answer 7

Only one difference that matters, one has a medical degree the other does not. One can thus prescribe medication, the other cannot.
This also leads to a vast descriptancy in bill rate.

Answer 8

a medical degree