What is the difference between a psychologist, psychiatrist and a therapist?

Question

I've been really depressed lately and I want to seek help from a doctor who I can talk out my problems with once a week or so and could also prescribe anti-depressants if needed. Which doctor do I need then? A psychiatrist, therapist or psychologist? Or is sometime different? Also, how would I go about finding a good one?

So who do I go to who can talk problems out with me AND prescribe medication to me?

Answer 1

Avoiding long-term depression is very important for your future mental health. Anti-depressants can be very important as a short-term intervention.

If you feel that drugs will need to be prescribed, by all means, go see a psychiatrist. This person has the credentials required to prescribe medicine. Get a referral from your doctor.

You might seek the help of your doctor to evaluate whether you have a physical ailment that can cause depression. Many diseases can cause depression: Sleep apnea, sleep deprivation, chronic pain, and so on. In some cases, proper nutrition and a rigorous exercise program can make a huge difference.

Of course a good therapist can help if the depression is less severe or caused by normal transitional events such as loss of a partner, loss of a job, financial problems, new family members, and so on. Many very happy and healthy people see therapists on a regular basis. They act as a life coach. I'd ask your best friends if they know of a good therapist.

A psychologist often does psychological testing, evaluation, or other research, but does not necessarily have a private practice. You probably will not see a psychologist unless your therapist or psychiatrist needs specific tests run.

Too many people refuse to seek help because they are afraid or are in denial. I hope that you find the right help.

Answer 2

A psychiatrist has more credentials than a therapist. A psychiatrist is a Medical Doctor as well as Psychiatry and can therefore presribe medication. A psychologist usually has a masters or doctorate but cannot prescribe medication. It is also correct that a psychologist is a specialist in human behaviour whereas a Psychiatrist is more for mental illness. Usually a therapist has a Masters Degree in Psychology, and a Psychologist has a Doctorate in Psychology. I would say go for it. Start with a therapist or psychologist and if need be, they may refer you to a psychiatrist. Go for it! Make sure you finish it to the end though because you may want to quit after feeling a bit better or not seeing a lot of progress at the beginning, but don't!

Answer 3

A Psychiatrist will have a Medical Doctorate degree. He is thereby licensed to prescribe medication as well as therapy although he or she will be geared more towards the biopsychological school of thought in administering your treatment.

A psychologist is likely someone with a PhD and is not licensed to prescribe medication. Treatment by a Psychologist is usually through therapy and then if necessary, referral to a Psychiatrist.

A therapist can be anything from a Psychiatrist, a Psychologist or even a LCSW or Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Answer 4

A psychologist has a PhD, can do therapy and counseling, but cannot prescribe medications, but has knowledge of them. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO), can prescribe medications, admit people to the hospital, and do therapy. Many psychiatrists these days leave the therapy to the psychologists and counselors. A PMHNP (psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner) can both prescribe medication and do therapy; this is a nurse who has a master's degree and specialized training in mental health. MSW (Master's in Social Work) and LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) are other types of therapists or counselors who can do therapy and counseling but cannot prescribe medication. "Finding a good one" often starts with the phone book or your county mental health department, because it can depend on who you can work with. Someone who works well with one client may not be as effective with another. It may also depend on the type of therapy used. Family doctors can also prescribe antidepressant medication to get you started. Generally speaking, antidepressants take a few weeks to start working, so if you don't start feeling better overnight, don't stop the medication without letting your prescriber know. Good luck.

Answer 5

Everyones telling you to see a psychiatrist, but when it comes down to it. Most psychiatrists don't spend alot of time doing the talk therapy that you want. They want to see if the meds work. Try the local Univerisity for referals (dont see a university student unless you want to be a guinne pig) Also try your medical insurance, they will have a list of providers in your area. What your looking for is a group office where there is one or two Psychiatrists on staff and several Psychologist, they'll pull the psychiatrist for the medical consult and get your your meds, and keep up with the talk therapy.

A therapist is a very widely used term... In the mental health field it covers Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Drug Counselors, and Social workers.

Answer 6

Good good question.

Psychiatrist - strictly diagnoses and prescribes medicine, spends shorter time with patient

Psychologist - more in depth, do psychological evaluation, more into therapy, stricter on prescibing meds

Therapist - simply does therapy

MY SUGGESTION:
Find a psychiatrist first..ask anyone you know, other wise search on the internet psychiatrist in your area..sometimes along with that you will see people's ratings of that doctor..from their set up an appointment, the psychiatrist will diagnose, and if it is something they will prescibe medicines. BUT if I were you I would NOT stop their. Ask the psychiatrist if they recommend any particular therapists. Most mental illnesses show a better rate of improvement if medicine and therapy is involved. Also, there are some psychiatrists who work with particular therapist and will together come up with the best solution to help their patient. Psychologists are no longer very common in helping patients with mental illness, their demand is decreasing dramatically in this case. So, I am all for psychiatrist + therapist

I'm rather knowledgable in this so ask any other questions if you have any in this particular field.

Answer 7

See the Psychiatrist. He is the one with a Medical license. The Psychologist is not a Dr nor is a therapist. The way to find them is first look in the Yellow pages and check them out with the State Medical board. Any complaints against them? Are they board certified? Where did they go to school? Get a referral from a friend or from the State Medical board.

Answer 8

A psychiatrist prescribes medication for mental issues
A therapist treats people through rehabilitive services
A psychologist is a counselor.

It sounds like you need a psychiatrist. The best way to go about finding one is maybe by word-of-mouth. I really don't know.

Answer 9

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor and has to graduate medical school (for 6 years) before specialization of psychiatry) and has to be resident in a big (educational) psychiatry clinic for 5 or 6 years to get the name ''Psychiatrist'' . So, he or she has to pass long and very hard educational period.
Generally severe mental illness or intensive treatment (not only therapy or psychotherapy) are related with psychiatrists... But it doesn't mean a psychiatrist does not treat simple depressions or psychological problems in everyday life... Also they can do psychotherapy... And an additional detail that it is they have great clinical experiences...
Psychology is a branch of behavioral sciences and psychologists have to graduate a psychology school... And they are related with normal human psychology... But if they have a clinical education on abnormal psychology or on psychotherapy, they can do psychotherapy... As usual mentioning, they can not prescribe any medicine...
A psychotherapist has to get a license about normal and abnormal psychology and psychotherapy... Social workers have right to be psychotherapist..

Answer 10

Psychiatrist is a headshrinker or shrink. I kid you not. I looked the three up. Therapist is listed as a healer and Psychologist is listed as a scientist, man of science, behaviorist. Best that you ask your doc. for a referral. I think a Psychiatrist can write prescriptions, I don't know about the others.