Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist: What Are the Differences?

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Table of Contents

Basic Differences

Education and Training

Patient Treatment

Should You See a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist?

Career Path

Job Outlook for Psychologists vs. Psychiatrists

The terms “psychologist” and “psychiatrist” are often used interchangeably to describe anyone who provides therapy services, but the two professions and the services they provide differ in terms of content and scope. In order to decide which professional might be best suited for providing your mental healthcare treatment, it is important to be aware of the differences between these professions.

Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist: Key Differences

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who are able to prescribe psychotropic medications, which they do in conjunction with providing psychotherapy, though medical and pharmacological interventions are often their focus.

Though many psychologists hold doctorate degrees, they are not medical doctors, and most cannot prescribe medications. Rather, they solely provide psychotherapy, which may involvecognitiveandbehavioralinterventions orpsychodynamicorpsychoanalyticapproaches.

Comparing Psychologists and PsychiatristsPsychologistsHave a doctorate degree in psychologyProvide a variety of talk therapiesOffer psychological testing and evaluationCannot prescribe medications in most casesPsychiatristsHave a medical degreeOffer psychological assessment, medication management, and may provide some talk therapyAddress mental health conditions from a bio/neurochemical perspectiveCan prescribe medications

Comparing Psychologists and Psychiatrists

PsychologistsHave a doctorate degree in psychologyProvide a variety of talk therapiesOffer psychological testing and evaluationCannot prescribe medications in most cases

Have a doctorate degree in psychology

Provide a variety of talk therapies

Offer psychological testing and evaluation

Cannot prescribe medications in most cases

PsychiatristsHave a medical degreeOffer psychological assessment, medication management, and may provide some talk therapyAddress mental health conditions from a bio/neurochemical perspectiveCan prescribe medications

Have a medical degree

Offer psychological assessment, medication management, and may provide some talk therapy

Address mental health conditions from a bio/neurochemical perspective

Can prescribe medications

Education, Training, and Credentials

While psychologists and psychiatrists may have some overlapping responsibilities, such as conductingpsychotherapyand performing research, their educational and professional licensure backgrounds differ.

Requirements for Psychologists

Psychologists receive graduate training in psychology and pursue either aPhD (Doctor of Philosophy)orPsyD (Doctor of Psychology)in clinical orcounseling psychology.

Doctorate programs typically take five to seven years to complete and most states require an additional one- or two-year-long internship in order to gain licensure. Other states require another year or two of supervised practice before granting full licensure.

During their education, those pursuing either a PhD or PsyD doctoral degree take courses in:

“Psychologist” Is a Protected Title

The PhD degree option tends to be more research-oriented. Those who earn a PhD in clinical or counseling psychology receive extensive training in research methods and complete a dissertation.

The PsyD degree option, on the other hand, tends to be more practice-oriented. Students who pursue this degree option spend more time learning about and practicing clinical approaches and treatment methods.

Like psychiatrists, psychologists utilize theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)to diagnose people who are experiencing symptoms of mental illness. They often use psychological tests such aspersonality tests, clinical interviews, behavioral assessments, andIQ testsin order to get a better idea of how a client is functioning.

Requirements for Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are physicians who have specific training in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses. In order to become a psychiatrist, students first earn an undergraduate degree before they attend medical school and receive an MD.

After finishing their medical training, psychiatrists also complete an additional four years of residency training in mental health. This residency often involves working in the psychiatric unit of a hospital. They also work with a wide variety of patients, ranging from children to adults, who may have behavioral problems, emotional difficulties, or some sort ofpsychiatric disorder.

During this medical residency, those specializing in psychiatry receive training and practice in how to diagnose and treat different psychiatric conditions, such as:

Psychiatrists receive training in different psychotherapy treatment modalities, includingcognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a popular treatment approach that has been shown to have a high level of effectiveness in the treatment of a wide variety of psychiatric conditions, includinganxiety disorders,somatoform disorders,stress, andanger issues.

Some research suggests that combining CBT and medications may be more effective than medication alone in the treatment of some conditions.

A second important distinction between the two careers is that psychiatrists canprescribe medications, while, in most states, psychologists cannot. However, there has been a recent push to grant prescribing powers to psychologists.

Seven states—New Mexico, Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, and Louisiana—now grant prescribing privileges to medical psychologists holding a post-doctoral master’s degree or equivalent in clinical psychopharmacology.

Do They Offer Different Treatments?

While the two professions are distinct, psychologists and psychiatrists both play important roles in mental health treatment. Very often, they work in collaboration with one another to provide the best possible treatment for an individual.

The psychologist and psychiatrist may work together, with the psychologist offering behavioral interventions and the psychiatrist providing or adjusting medication in order to best address the patient’s symptoms. The type of approach needed often depends on the severity of the symptoms and the needs and wishes of the patient.

Research suggests that people have different preferences about whether they want psychotherapy alone or in combination with medication. These preferences can affect what professionals they see.It can be helpful to consider how each professional might approach the treatment of specific conditions before deciding which treatment options might be right for you.

For conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and trauma, a psychiatrist may focus on using prescription medications to manage symptoms, whereas a psychologist would concentrate on psychotherapy to help address negative beliefs and encourage behavior changes. It is important to note that a number of factors go into determining which professional might be best equipped to handle treatment, including how comfortable you feel with them.

The expense can also be a factor; some studies have found that combining treatment approaches may also be more cost-effective for patients.

So is it better to see a psychologist or a psychiatrist? Both professionals can provide mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, so choosing between the two professionals often depends on what you hope to get out of treatment.

Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist Careers

If you are considering a career as a therapist, you will need to determine which career path is best for you. Options you might consider include:

Life as a Psychologist or Psychiatrist

Work/life balance and work settings are other factors that students should consider when choosing between a career as a psychologist or psychiatrist. Both medical school and graduate school are rigorous and require a significant investment of time, resources, and energy.

A medical residency can be grueling, and students should feel comfortable working in medical settings if they opt to enter the field of psychiatry. After graduating, psychiatrists who choose to work in hospital settings may be required to work long hours or be on-call.

Psychiatrists may work in hospitals, but they may also opt to work in community mental health centers, academic settings, or private practice. Those who choose to work in private practice may find that they have more control over their schedules and hours.

Psychologists also face similar demands. Some psychologists may choose to work in hospital settings, while others can be found in mental health clinics, government agencies, academic settings, and private practice.

Professionals in this field may find that they need to work evening and weekend hours in order to accommodate clients who work during typical business hours. Like psychiatrists, psychologists working in the mental health field may also need to be on-call at times or be able to respond to emergency situations.

The demand for psychiatrists is predicted to rise at a rate of 8% between the years 2023 and 2033, amounting to an increase of around 2,100 jobs.The demand for psychologists is expected to grow at a slightly lower rate of 7% between the years 2023 and 2033, but because there are far more psychologists than psychiatrists, this actually amounts to an increase of about 14,100 more jobs.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for psychologists as of May 2023 was $117,750 per year. The median annual salary for psychiatrists in May 2023 was considerably higher at $256,930.

A Word From Verywell

Psychologists and psychiatrists represent distinctive professional designations, but both play a critical role in the field of mental health. Key differences between psychologists and psychiatrists come down to educational background and prescribing powers, but both share the important goal of helping patients feel better.

Neither one is “better” than the other, but a patient’s needs and specific symptoms may play a role in which type of professional is best equipped to assist with treatment.

8 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.Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A.The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses.Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1Rutkow L, Vernick JS, Wissow LS, Kaufmann CN, Hodge JG.Prescribing authority during emergencies. Challenges for mental health care providers.J Leg Med. 2011;32(3):249-260. doi:10.1080/01947648.2011.600154Patel SR, Simpson HB.Patient preferences for obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment.J Clin Psychiatry. 2010;71(11):1434-1439. doi:10.4088/JCP.09m05537bluvan Apeldoorn FJ, Stant AD, van Hout WJ, Mersch PP, den Boer JA.Cost-effectiveness of CBT, SSRI, and CBT+SSRI in the treatment for panic disorder.Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2014;129(4):286-95. doi:10.1111/acps.12169Birch K, Ling A, Phoenix B.Psychiatric nurse practitioners as leaders in behavioral health integration.J Nurse Pract. 2021;17(1):112-115. doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.001U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024c, August 29).Home. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Physicians and surgeons.Occupational Outlook Handbook.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.

8 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.Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A.The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses.Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1Rutkow L, Vernick JS, Wissow LS, Kaufmann CN, Hodge JG.Prescribing authority during emergencies. Challenges for mental health care providers.J Leg Med. 2011;32(3):249-260. doi:10.1080/01947648.2011.600154Patel SR, Simpson HB.Patient preferences for obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment.J Clin Psychiatry. 2010;71(11):1434-1439. doi:10.4088/JCP.09m05537bluvan Apeldoorn FJ, Stant AD, van Hout WJ, Mersch PP, den Boer JA.Cost-effectiveness of CBT, SSRI, and CBT+SSRI in the treatment for panic disorder.Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2014;129(4):286-95. doi:10.1111/acps.12169Birch K, Ling A, Phoenix B.Psychiatric nurse practitioners as leaders in behavioral health integration.J Nurse Pract. 2021;17(1):112-115. doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.001U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024c, August 29).Home. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Physicians and surgeons.Occupational Outlook Handbook.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A.The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses.Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1Rutkow L, Vernick JS, Wissow LS, Kaufmann CN, Hodge JG.Prescribing authority during emergencies. Challenges for mental health care providers.J Leg Med. 2011;32(3):249-260. doi:10.1080/01947648.2011.600154Patel SR, Simpson HB.Patient preferences for obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment.J Clin Psychiatry. 2010;71(11):1434-1439. doi:10.4088/JCP.09m05537bluvan Apeldoorn FJ, Stant AD, van Hout WJ, Mersch PP, den Boer JA.Cost-effectiveness of CBT, SSRI, and CBT+SSRI in the treatment for panic disorder.Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2014;129(4):286-95. doi:10.1111/acps.12169Birch K, Ling A, Phoenix B.Psychiatric nurse practitioners as leaders in behavioral health integration.J Nurse Pract. 2021;17(1):112-115. doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.001U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024c, August 29).Home. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Physicians and surgeons.Occupational Outlook Handbook.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A.The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses.Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1

Rutkow L, Vernick JS, Wissow LS, Kaufmann CN, Hodge JG.Prescribing authority during emergencies. Challenges for mental health care providers.J Leg Med. 2011;32(3):249-260. doi:10.1080/01947648.2011.600154

Patel SR, Simpson HB.Patient preferences for obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment.J Clin Psychiatry. 2010;71(11):1434-1439. doi:10.4088/JCP.09m05537blu

van Apeldoorn FJ, Stant AD, van Hout WJ, Mersch PP, den Boer JA.Cost-effectiveness of CBT, SSRI, and CBT+SSRI in the treatment for panic disorder.Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2014;129(4):286-95. doi:10.1111/acps.12169

Birch K, Ling A, Phoenix B.Psychiatric nurse practitioners as leaders in behavioral health integration.J Nurse Pract. 2021;17(1):112-115. doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.001

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024c, August 29).Home. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Physicians and surgeons.Occupational Outlook Handbook.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Hannah Owens, LMSW

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Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist: Key Differences#

Comparing Psychologists and Psychiatrists#

Education, Training, and Credentials#

Requirements for Psychologists#

“Psychologist” Is a Protected Title#

Requirements for Psychiatrists#

Do They Offer Different Treatments?#

Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist Careers#

Life as a Psychologist or Psychiatrist#

A Word From Verywell#