Psychologist vs Psychiatrist
Although some people use the terms psychologist and psychiatrist interchangeably, you can point out differences between a psychologist and a psychiatrist in terms of their educational qualifications and their professional roles. For instance, a psychologist is expected to have completed certain degrees of study and a psychiatrist is also expected to be qualified in terms of different degrees of study. Through this article let us examine the differences between a psychologist and a psychiatrist.
Who is a Psychologist?
First let us begin with the psychologist. A Psychologist provides counseling to the patients and therapy to treat their mental health. This allows the psychologist to assist the patient or client to find solutions to his or her problem. The counseling process should not be considered as an advisory process, but more of guidance. A psychologist is expected to have completed a Ph.D. in psychology. Also, a psychologist need not attend a medical school or college. A psychologist is not entitled to prescribe medications to patients. This is one of the main differences between a psychologist and a psychiatrist.
It is interesting to note that although psychologists do not attend medical schools like psychiatrists, they are supposed to have completed their PhD to attain scholarship on the subject and hence they are adept in providing counseling to the patients and provide therapy to treat their mental health too. They would do well to refer the patients to the psychiatrists. It means that the psychiatrists are not entitled to provide counseling to the patients. Hence counseling part of treatment is done professionally by the psychologists.
Who is a Psychiatrist?
The psychiatrist is a specialist doctor who can prescribe medications. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with an M.D. degree. Unlike a psychologist who does not need to attend medical school, a psychiatrist must attend a medical college. Psychiatrists are expected to complete residency training programs too like any other doctor after completing the degree. In other words, it can be said that a psychiatrist officiates like any other specialist doctor. It is quite important to note that a psychiatrist can prescribe medications like any other doctor.
One of the main differences between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is that a psychiatrist should work with the patient well within the hospital premises, whereas a psychologist is not expected at all times to work on the hospital premises. He can work away from the hospital premises too. As you can observe there is a clear difference in the qualifications and the professional role of a psychologist and a psychiatrist. This difference can be summarized as follows.
What is the Difference Between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?
Definitions of Psychologist and Psychiatrist:
Psychologist: Psychologist provides counseling to the patients and therapy to treat their mental health.
Psychiatrist: Psychiatrist is a specialist doctor who can prescribe medications.
Characteristics of Psychologist and Psychiatrist:
Medication:
Psychologist: A psychologist cannot prescribe medication.
Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist can prescribe medication.
Educational Qualifications:
Psychologist: A psychologist is expected to have completed a Ph.D. in psychology.
Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist for that matter is a medical doctor with an M.D. degree
Medical School:
Psychologist: A psychologist need not attend a medical school.
Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist must attend a medical college and complete residency training programs.
Premises of work:
Psychologist: A psychologist is not expected to work in the hospital premises at all times. He can work away from the hospital premises too.
Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist should work with the patient well within the hospital premises.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Grouptherapy” by Research Report Series: Therapeutic Community – w:The National Institute on Drug Abuse. [Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons
2. “Insulin shock therapy” by Unknown [Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons
