Psychologists vs. Psychiatrists

When you're feeling down or having emotional problems, you may be told to see a doctor. But mental and emotional problems aren't like a broken finger or a cold, meaning you can't just call up your family doctor and make an appointment to feel better. The two most likely candidates for helping you through your problems are a psychologist and a psychiatrist. Both are licensed professionals who work for the well being of their clients, but some may not know the real differences between them.

Description

• To understand the differences between a psychologist and psychiatrist, it's important to understand the differences between their areas of study. Psychology is basically a realm of research, in which the psychologist investigates the mind, focusing on behavior and cognition. Psychiatry is a more practical approach, where the psychiatrist uses medications and other means to treat mental illness.

Education

• Because the main focus of their study is different, psychologists and psychiatrists obtain different degrees of education in order to practice their craft. Psychologists receive schooling for between four and six years to achieve a doctorate in philosophy or clinical psychology, then complete an internship that lasts between one and two years. Psychiatrists attend medical school in order to earn a doctorate in medicine, then serve four years of residency training, usually in a hospital's psychiatric unit.

Training

• Psychologists receive training in psychological research, including personality assessment. Their degrees are focused in counseling, while psychiatrists are trained as mental-health specialists who are licensed to prescribe medications in order to achieve emotional or behavioral changes. They are also capable of performing full physical examinations when necessary.

Study

• Even though both professions are dedicated to helping the patient, each field focuses on a different aspect. Psychologists study the mind and nontangible qualities of their patients, such as intelligence, motivations and emotions. Psychiatrists are less interested in the workings of the mind, and look for an underlying physiological problem that may be causing the patient's behavior, such as a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Treatment

• Treatment is a main difference between the two professions, as each practitioner will approach a patient's problems differently. Psychologists tend to focus more on treating the emotional and mental aspects of their patients, using treatments such as psychotherapy. Psychiatrists are trained medical doctors who often prescribe medications as a regular course of treatment.