Although both psychology and psychiatry are disciplines that originated more than 100 years ago, there is still some confusion about the differences between a psychologist and a psychiatrist. Add psychotherapists to the equation and the confusion is complete.

Psychologist – psychiatrist: similarities

Let’s start with the similarities between the two professions: both psychologists and psychiatrists deal with the human mind. Both work in a practice, a clinic or a hospital (if we are referring to clinical psychologist or psychotherapist, other psychology specialisations have nothing to do with intervening with a patient). Both psychologists and psychiatrists can follow a training programme in psychotherapy. How they then apply the knowledge they have gained about psychotherapy depends both on the individual person and the influence of the way the two professions are educated. Which brings us to the differences between the two.

Psychologist – psychiatrist: differences

The first and most important difference is related to education: the psychologist went to the Faculty of Psychology, while the psychiatrist went to the Faculty of Medicine and then specialised in psychiatry as part of his residency. Psychiatry is a medical specialisation just like cardiology, family medicine, gastroenterology and so on. As such, only the psychiatrist is a doctor. Doctor let’s say they could be both if they have completed a PhD program.

The above distinction leads us to a second, very important one: only the psychiatrist can prescribe medication. Of course he is not obliged to give prescriptions to everyone who comes into his office but, because of his medical training, he is prepared to look for medication solutions to solve the things the patient complains about. The psychologist treats the patient’s discomfort exclusively through psychotherapy, using the methods he knows and has studied thoroughly. A psychiatrist who is also trained in psychotherapy will always have the medicinal option available. Whether it is good or bad that these options exist is not the purpose of this article to argue but I want to tell you that there is a great advantage and a great disadvantage in this case:

the advantage is that when we are talking about a severe mental disorder (psychopathy, schizophrenia, etc.) it is proven by research that an important role in this imbalance is played by a disorder of the brain chemistry and this situation can often only be resolved by medication: it is useless for the psychotherapist to try to talk rationally with the patient if he cannot hear or understand him.
The disadvantage is that in less serious situations (which are usually much more numerous than extreme ones) the psychiatrist may be tempted to resort too quickly or too easily to medication. This depends on the individual person, just as there are general practitioners who are in no hurry to prescribe antibiotics for every cold, so there are psychiatrists who carefully consider whether or not the patient should be put on medication.
Which to choose?

If you’re still not clear, think about it this way: if what’s bothering you is out of the ordinary, then it’s better to see a psychiatrist. If we are talking about everyday difficulties that you often hear about in others, then it is better to see a psychologist.

Here’s an example, to make it absolutely clear: if you don’t get along with your spouse and you fight often, then a psychologist would be advisable. If, on the other hand, you often argue with your husband or wife but you are not actually married, then a psychiatrist is more appropriate.

However, even if, say, you don’t get your way, psychiatrists and psychologists often refer patients from one to the other when the situation requires it and even work together on certain cases where both can make an important contribution. So don’t worry because wherever you end up you will be referred to the right place (of course, provided you have reached a professional but that’s another discussion, see here how to choose a psychotherapist

If you still have doubts you can call or email me and I will answer you as clearly as I can, depending on the information you give me.