When it comes to mental health, seeking help from a professional can be a powerful way to progress toward an individual’s goals in life and wellness. However, it is common to be unclear about which type of professional to schedule an appointment with. Therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists are all knowledgeable about mental health.
Still, they do not necessarily perform the same tasks or focus on the same areas. Individual therapy from a therapist may be a good fit for someone. In contrast, a session with a psychiatrist may be more suitable for another. With so many professional disciplines, how should patients know who to turn to when they need help or guidance?
Here are some fundamental differences between a therapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist so you can make an informed choice about who to contact for your next appointment.
What Does a Therapist Do?
Therapists focus on helping people maneuver life’s many challenges. They do this by providing opportunities for patients to talk, share their stories, and find solace in professional help. Therapists provide help through discussion and psychotherapy techniques, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and grief counseling.
The main focus of a therapist’s work is to facilitate patients’ transitions into new ways of thinking. They may provide valuable practice for patients to develop stronger coping skills or reframe traumatic memories so they can live happier, more fulfilling lives.
Dealing with anxiety, relationship issues, personal challenges, grief, and similar difficulties is a sign that individual therapy may be the right fit. Depending on the type of therapy required, a patient may see a licensed professional counselor, clinical social worker, or someone else. Still, they should always have a certification in their field.
What a Psychologist Does
A psychologist typically goes through more schooling than a therapist; clinical psychology requires either a PsyD or a PhD (as well as multiple years of internships, depending on the state). Where therapists focus more on a person’s life goals and helping them move through emotional difficulties, psychologists often attend to disorders such as learning disabilities or behavioral issues.
Some psychologists spend their careers interacting with patients. In contrast, others focus on academia by researching essential mental, emotional, and behavioral concerns. Generally, a psychologist takes a more scientific approach to mental healthcare, focusing on how the chemicals in the brain may impact a person’s interaction with their environment or the origins of their problematic behaviors.
Because psychologists have undergone extensive academic training, they are also qualified to diagnose some mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, learning disabilities, eating disorders, PTSD, and addiction (among many others).
However, they have not received medical training, so they cannot prescribe medications or treatments for these challenges outside of behavioral guidance and psychotherapy. In this respect, their approach is similar to a therapist’s.
The Role of a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are similar to psychologists but with slightly more specialization. While psychologists attend schooling that focuses on mental health as a behavioral concept, psychiatrists attend medical school to approach these challenges from a biological standpoint.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who focus on mental health rather than other fields of practice. Because of this, psychiatrists are the main type of mental health professional able to prescribe medication. It is common for therapists or psychologists to refer patients to psychiatrists if they believe that medication would help them manage their symptoms.
Additionally, because psychiatrists are doctors, they have access to a wider range of potential treatments, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, that are not accessible to mental health professionals not trained in the medical field. Psychiatrists may also engage in talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical therapy, depending on the patient’s needs.
In general, those who are facing severe or complex mental health issues are a good fit for a psychiatrist, as are those who require long-term management of their conditions. Challenges such as bipolar and schizophrenia are examples of mental health disorders that benefit from psychiatric care.
Embrace Therapy as Your Starting Point
There are many options when a person chooses to seek mental health help. However, it is easy to feel overwhelmed when choosing between available professionals; most people do not want to waste someone’s time, but they are unsure whether they need a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
The good news is that therapy is a great place to start. A therapist can help you address your challenges or recommend which type of professional to see next. Contact Village Counseling today to schedule your individual therapy appointment and get started on the road to a more fulfilling life!