Psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist: what is the difference?
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- Emotral editorial team
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Three titles that are often confused: a psychiatrist is a physician, a psychologist is trained in psychology, and psychotherapist is a general title for someone who delivers talking therapy. A guide to choosing.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialised in psychiatry; they can carry out a medical assessment and manage medication within the scope of their licence. A psychologist is trained in psychology, focuses on assessment and non-medication interventions, and does not prescribe. Psychotherapist is a general title for someone trained in talking therapy, who may be a psychiatrist, a psychologist or another professional.
What is a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a physician: they completed medical school and then specialised in psychiatry. That is why they can assess mental-health symptoms alongside physical health, consider physical illnesses or medications that produce psychiatric symptoms, and order tests or medical investigations when needed.
Within the scope of their professional licence, a psychiatrist can manage medication. Many psychiatrists, including the psychiatrist on Emotral, are also trained in psychotherapy and hold talking-therapy sessions.
What is a psychologist?
A psychologist is trained in psychology, usually at master’s or doctoral level. A clinical psychologist focuses on psychological assessment, standardised tests and non-medication interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy. A psychologist is not a physician and in most countries does not prescribe medication.
What is a psychotherapist?
Psychotherapist is a title for someone trained in one or more psychotherapy approaches who holds talking-based treatment sessions. It does not refer to one specific degree: a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a trained counsellor can each be a psychotherapist. The rules on who may use the title vary by country.
Which one is right for me?
If you are looking for a space to talk, understand patterns and change behaviour, a psychotherapist or psychologist is a good starting point. If you have a medication question, severe symptoms, or a possible physical cause, a psychiatric assessment is needed. For many people the combination suits better: regular psychotherapy with psychiatric follow-up alongside it.
The NICE depression guideline and the meta-analysis by Cuijpers and colleagues both point the same way: in moderate to severe cases, combining psychotherapy and medication gives better results than either alone.
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This article is educational and is not written as individual medical advice. Decisions about diagnosis, medication or treatment are made only after a direct assessment by a physician or therapist.
Common questions
Can a psychologist prescribe medication?
In most countries, no. Prescribing is a physician’s role. A psychologist refers you to a psychiatrist when a medication assessment is needed.
Can I work with a psychologist and a psychiatrist at the same time?
Yes, and it is a common arrangement. The psychologist or psychotherapist provides regular sessions while the psychiatrist handles medical assessment and medication follow-up.
References
- World Health Organization. mhGAP Intervention Guide for mental, neurological and substance use disorders in non-specialized health settings, version 2.0. Geneva: WHO; 2016.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Depression in adults: treatment and management. NICE guideline NG222. 2022.
- Cuijpers P, Sijbrandij M, Koole SL, Andersson G, Beekman AT, Reynolds CF. Adding psychotherapy to antidepressant medication in depression and anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis. World Psychiatry. 2014;13(1):56-67. DOI PMID 24497254
