what's the difference between a clinical psychologist & a psychiatrist?

Question

I know the latter is an MD the former in not, but if a pscho-doctor is a phochologist who can prescribe drugs, why should there be any ones who can't?

Answer 1

It's a power thing.

A clinical psychologist may or may not have a higher degree, but what they don't have is an MD, so they cannot prescribe medication.

(I know other people have said this, and stay with me - there is a point to repeating it.)

A psychiatrist has SOME training in psychology, but not necessarily very much, and it may not be very good. Because a psychiatrist's trump card is that s/he CAN prescribe medication.

Up until pretty recently the entire formal medical health establishment was based entirely on PHYSICAL treatment of psychological problems (even now things haven't changed that much).
So guess who has all the power.

Of course there are quite a few situations where drugs are a very effective form of treatment, especially where the mental illness is down to a chemical imbalance or brain damage of some kind.
But there are plenty of other situations where drugs don't solve anything - they just suppress the symptoms. Which means patients get to be on drugs for years, and years, and years ... without ever getting over their original problem.
Which seems to me like a very good reason for not leaving it all to the guys with the prescription pads.

Very often, in my experience, a psychiatrist may be quite ignorant of the mental causes and nature of psychological problems, especially as compared with a well-trained clinical psychologist. But it is still the psychiatrist who will dictate the treatment plan.

Does this give you any clue as to why the US is getting itself names like "The Prozac Nation"?

Answer 2

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, holds a medical degree, and prescribes medication. His/her training is on the medical/ biological/ neurological bases of mental illness. While some may do therapy, they are not usually trained in psychotherapy.
A psychologist has a PhD or PsyD and specializes in therapy, psychological assessment, and consultation (amongst other things). To hold the title of psychologist, they are required to have a doctorate. They are trained in psychological theory and the behavioral, cognitive, social, dynamic (etc) causes of mental illness. In most states, they cannot prescribe medication. However, in some states (like New Mexico and Louisiana, I believe), psychologists can prescribe medication with additional training.
There are a lot of people that do not want to take medication or do not respond to medication. Some people need something more than medication. Remember that medication provides symptoms relief. If is not a cure. That is where therapy steps in. It doesn't "cure" a person, but does address the deeper problem. That is why we have psychologists.
Research has shown that therapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy is just as effective as some medications.

Answer 3

Psychologists do not as much training in medical science. They do have doctorate level training, but in psychology. A Ph.D. (same level as MD's, NOT a master's)

Psychiatrists prescribe meds. They have an MD.

Some psychologists are trying to get permission so that Psychologists can prescribe meds, but psychiatrists don't like it....

They are used for different ailements..

Answer 4

the form of coaching each and each gets is the familiar distinction. Psychiatrists first attend scientific college and then specialise in psychiatry. meaning they seem at subject concerns from a scientific or ailment attitude. and that's the rationalization why medicine is a familiar gadget for psychiatrists. medical psychologists get carry of a doctoral degree that would not contain scientific preparation. quite, they are experienced as scientists and attitude subject concerns from a scientist / practitioner attitude. So even in spite of the undeniable fact that the two have doctoral levels, that would not mirror the transformations interior the preparation they get carry of (after all, you may get a doctoral degree and be a dentist, an english professor, or a physiotherapist.) The doctoral degree shows a point of coaching, yet no longer the form of coaching.

Answer 5

Psychiatrists go to Medical School. They are Doctors. Psychologists only have a Masters.

Answer 6

Psychiatrists can diagnose and prescribe medication. Psychologists can't. They suggest a diagnosis to your doctor, but can't do it themselves.