The Difference Between Psychiatrists and Psychologists

Medically reviewed by Aleesha Grier

When looking for a mental health provider, it can be confusing who to choose. There are many different credentials, types of treatment options, and specializations. The two primary kinds of mental health providers are psychiatrists and psychologists. If you’re receiving treatment for a mental health condition, your healthcare team might include both a psychologist and a psychiatrist. Knowing what each specialist does can help you better understand your treatment goals.

Psychiatrists vs. Psychologists

Both psychiatrists and psychologists are trained to treat a range of mental health conditions. Some of the conditions they treat include:

• Depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders

• Anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder

• Eating disorders

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders

• Substance use disorders

However, there are distinct differences between the exact responsibilities and treatment options that psychiatrists and psychologists can provide.

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are doctors with medical degrees. You may see an MD (doctor of medicine) or a DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine) after their name. They specialize in the biological aspects of mental health conditions and typically prescribe medications for mental health conditions. Some psychiatrists may provide psychotherapy, or talk therapy, but this is less common as psychiatrists don’t receive as much clinical training as psychologists do.

If your psychiatrist prescribes you medication, you can expect to check in with them regularly to ensure the medication is working for you. If you want to try a different kind of medication or are feeling adverse side effects of the medicine you're on, they can work with you to find a medication that works better.

Psychologists

Psychologists have a doctoral degree in psychology, counseling, education, or a related field. Typically, they have a PhD or PsyD distinction after their name. They focus on the behavioral and cognitive (thinking-related) aspects of mental health conditions and receive thorough training in a variety of therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists cannot usually prescribe medication.

Differences in Education and Training

While there is some overlap in their understanding of mental health conditions, psychiatrists and psychologists have different sets of educational and training requirements they must meet to receive their degrees. Here's a breakdown:

When to See a Psychiatrist or Psychologist

You may consider reaching out to a mental health provider on your own or your primary care provider can suggest you seek care from a specialist. There are several reasons you may opt to work with a psychiatrist or psychologist, including:

• Sleeping or eating too much or too little

• Having frequent stomachaches or headaches

• Experiencing fatigue or mood swings

• Not wanting to engage in activities or spend time with people

• Feeling hopeless, numb, worried, confused, forgetful, angry, or scared often

• Seeing memories or thoughts in your head repeatedly

• Hearing voices

• Thinking about suicide, hurting others, or death

• Struggling to cut down or stop using drugs, alcohol, or nicotine

• Experiencing relationship problems

• Feeling stress or a sense overwhelm that interferes with your daily functioning

• Experiencing emotional, physical or sexual abuse

• Struggling with identity

Looking for Support?

If you are experiencing a crisis, or know someone who is, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for free and confidential support 24/7. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources or call the number below to reach Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) hotline.

Your primary care provider (or existing mental health provider) may be able to tell you if you’d benefit from psychiatric or psychological care. If they think you may need medication, it’s best to seek care from a psychiatrist. If they think talk therapy may benefit you, you should reach out to a psychologist. 

How to Get an Appointment

If you’d like to begin seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist, the process is fairly similar for both. You can ask for a referral from your primary care provider or a community health clinic, request provider recommendations from friends and family, or search online directories to choose a provider that might be a good fit for you. If you have insurance, you can check with your insurance company for a list of in-network providers who can prescribe medication or practice therapy.

In addition, if you’re already seeing a psychologist and would like psychiatric care, you can ask them for a referral—and vice versa. They may work as part of a larger mental health clinic that provides both or may know of other mental health providers in your area that can support your goals.

Once you identify potential providers, it may be helpful to ask them about:

• What services they provide

• Their specialties

• The cost of treatment

• Whether they take your insurance

A Quick Review

Psychiatrists and psychologists are two kinds of healthcare providers who can treat a range of mental health conditions. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medicine, while psychologists specialize in psychotherapy. Finding the right mental health provider may be tricky at first. Consider asking your primary healthcare provider for a referral or searching online directories to find a provider that may be able to support your needs.

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