Psychologist Vs. Psychiatrist: When To See Who?

Are you considering seeking the support of a mental health professional for yourself or a loved one? If so, you may wonder if you should try to connect with a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Though their titles sound very similar, there are a few key differences between these two professions. Understanding them can help you know where to turn for the guidance and treatment you may need. Read on for an overview of both types of mental health professionals and how to choose which one to meet with.

What is a psychologist?

A psychologist, often referred to as a therapist or counselor, will typically focus on cultural, social, and environmental factors that may be contributing to a person’s mental health challenges, rather than biological ones as psychiatrists typically do. Through various types of talk therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy, for example, they can help the individuals who seek their support with things like:

• Identifying and shifting distorted thought patterns
• Healing from past trauma
• Building healthy coping skills

Some psychologists specialize in a certain area or in working with a certain type of clientele, like art therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, or child psychology, for example. Note that psychologists typically aren’t licensed to prescribe medication, except those with certain additional training, education, and licensing in the states of Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico.

What is a psychiatrist?

Psychiatry is a division of medicine that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions. Unlike a psychologist, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who must have a medical degree. They use the medical model and usually concentrate on the physiological aspects of mental illness. Because of their medical degree and licensing, they can prescribe medication whenever they believe it would be an appropriate treatment for a patient. They may also recommend other forms of treatment, depending on the situation, such as talk therapy or lifestyle changes. 

Psychologist vs. psychiatrist: Similarities and differences

The reason is that psychiatrists have a medical degree, whereas psychologists do not; they’re likely to have a master’s degree or possibly a Ph.D. in psychology, counseling, social work, or a similar area of expertise instead. In addition, while both types of professionals can offer talk therapy services, it’s more likely that you’d see a psychologist for this.

Note also that someone who is experiencing a mental health concern may sometimes seek the support of both a psychologist and a psychiatrist in order to address it. For example, a psychiatrist could see a patient, evaluate them, and make a diagnosis of a certain mental illness using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). If they believe medication could help and would be appropriate for the given patient, they may prescribe it. They may also recommend that the individual connect with a psychologist to engage in talk therapy to further progress their treatment. After all, the recommended care for a variety of mental health conditions—from depression to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—is therapy, sometimes in conjunction with medication depending on the individual, their symptoms, and their diagnosis. 

How to choose which type of professional to meet with

Meeting with a psychologist, like a therapist, can be a helpful option if you’re not sure where to begin when it comes to mild to moderate mental health challenges. They can provide you with a compassionate space where you can explain what you’re experiencing and get support in these areas via talk therapy. If they feel you might benefit from medication as well, your therapist could refer you to a psychiatrist. Examples of reasons you might see a therapist include things like:

• Experiencing anxiety
• Feeling concerned about a romantic or family relationship
• Showing signs of low self-esteem
• Looking for help in coping with trauma or grief

Meeting with a psychiatrist can be a helpful option if you’re experiencing more severe or complex mental health concerns, such as symptoms that are significantly impacting your ability to function. They’ll usually focus predominantly on identifying whether you may be experiencing a mental illness, what it is, and what the best course of treatment might be for you if so. Those who are experiencing signs of or have been diagnosed with complex mental health concerns like schizophrenia, severe depression, or bipolar disorder, for example, may be advised to regularly meet with a psychiatrist as part of their treatment plan—and they’re likely to benefit from meeting with a psychologist regularly as well.

How to connect with a provider

If you’re looking to meet with a psychiatrist, you might contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network providers near you. If you don’t have insurance, you can contact local providers to find out if they’re accepting new patients, what their fees are, and whether they offer a sliding scale or financial support, if applicable. Your primary care physician or psychologist could also offer you a referral to a psychiatrist. 

If you’re looking to meet with a psychologist, you can follow the same steps as above. Or, if you’d prefer to meet with a therapist from the comfort of home, you might consider online therapy. With a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist whom you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging from anywhere you have an internet connection. Research suggests that online therapy can be as effective as in-person sessions in most cases, so you can typically choose whichever format you prefer.