Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsClinical Psychologist RoleClinical Psychologist CertificationPsychologist SkillsPsychologist vs. PsychiatristWho Should You See?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Clinical Psychologist Role
Clinical Psychologist Certification
Psychologist Skills
Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist
Who Should You See?
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A clinical psychologist is a mental health professional with highly specialized training in the diagnosis and psychological treatment of mental, behavioral and emotional illnesses. Clinical psychologists are not technically medical doctors, but still typically follow an educational path that requires many years of study, often resulting in a doctorate degree.
It can be confusing to know the difference between a psychologist, therapist, and psychiatrist. In short, each requires different levels of education, may perform different roles in the mental health arena, and utilize different methods of care.
The Clinical Psychologist’s Role
Clinical psychologists are not legally able to prescribe medications to treat mental illness, except in a handful of states where they do have that authority. Rather, they use psychological techniques, such ascognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT) andpsychoanalytic therapy.
In addition to the delivery of psychotherapy, psychologists may perform psychological testing or research, or they may teach. It is a field with a fair amount of opportunity and variety.
While board certification is not required to practice clinical psychology, The American Board of Clinical Psychology (ABCP) offers board certification for clinical psychologists, which includes basic competencies for practicing, teaching, or conducting research.These competencies include:
Specific Skills for Clinical Psychologists
Clinical psychologists have a whole host of specific skills that they employ in their work, including:
The biggest difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is that a psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who can prescribe medications, while most psychologists are not medical doctors and typically cannot prescribe medication.
PsychiatristBoard certification through the American Board of Psychiatry and NeurologyCan diagnose psychological illnessCan prescribe medicationsMay provide talk therapyMedical Doctor (MD)Clinical PsychologistBoard certification through the American Board of Clinical PsychologyMay diagnose psychological illnessCannot prescribe medications (with some exceptions)May conduct talk therapiesMaster’s degree, PhD, or PsyD
PsychiatristBoard certification through the American Board of Psychiatry and NeurologyCan diagnose psychological illnessCan prescribe medicationsMay provide talk therapyMedical Doctor (MD)
Board certification through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Can diagnose psychological illness
Can prescribe medications
May provide talk therapy
Medical Doctor (MD)
Clinical PsychologistBoard certification through the American Board of Clinical PsychologyMay diagnose psychological illnessCannot prescribe medications (with some exceptions)May conduct talk therapiesMaster’s degree, PhD, or PsyD
Board certification through the American Board of Clinical Psychology
May diagnose psychological illness
Cannot prescribe medications (with some exceptions)
May conduct talk therapies
Master’s degree, PhD, or PsyD
Differences Between Psychologists and Psychiatrists
Should You See a Clinical Psychologist or a Psychiatrist?
One major difference between the two approaches is that while a psychologist will typically look at your behavior, a psychiatrist is more likely to look first at the biological factors behind your mental health problems.
Whether you pick a psychologist or a psychiatrist may depend on several factors. Some psychiatrists only prescribe medication and do not do psychotherapy, so you may choose to see both a psychiatrist and a psychologist to get both medication and therapy. Many psychiatrists do both, however. Adirectorymay be able to help you find what you’re looking for.
Your regular healthcare provider may be able to help you make this decision. Depending on what you’re dealing with, however, the recommended course of treatment may include both medication and talk therapy.
2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Board of Professional Psychology.Competency Requirements - Foundational & Functional.American Psychological Association.What Is the Difference Between Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Social Workers?Additional ReadingAmerican Board of Professional Psychology.Clinical Psychology.American Psychological Association.Clinical Psychology.
2 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Board of Professional Psychology.Competency Requirements - Foundational & Functional.American Psychological Association.What Is the Difference Between Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Social Workers?Additional ReadingAmerican Board of Professional Psychology.Clinical Psychology.American Psychological Association.Clinical Psychology.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Board of Professional Psychology.Competency Requirements - Foundational & Functional.American Psychological Association.What Is the Difference Between Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Social Workers?
American Board of Professional Psychology.Competency Requirements - Foundational & Functional.
American Psychological Association.What Is the Difference Between Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Social Workers?
American Board of Professional Psychology.Clinical Psychology.American Psychological Association.Clinical Psychology.
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