Psychologist vs psychiatrist

Psychologist vs Psychiatrist If you have mental health concerns, you should definitely seek help and someone you can talk to. But where do you go? How do you know what type of doctor you should talk to? Do you look for a psychiatrist or psychologist? If you’re unsure what the difference is, you’re not alone.

There’s a lot of confusion out there. There are similarities, but there are important differences, too. Here’s what you need to know to decide which is right for you.

The four main differences between psychiatrists and psychologists are: 

Psychiatrists are medical doctors, psychologists are not.

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Psychiatrists prescribe medication, psychologists can’t.

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Psychiatrists tend to treat complex and serious mental illness, psychologists tend to treat less serious conditions.

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You need a referral from your GP to see a psychiatrist, while you don’t for a psychologist.