Therapist, psychiatrist, doctor, nurse, mental health counselor – understanding and knowing the difference when searching for a provider can feel overwhelming. You aren’t alone in this confusion, and may find yourself wondering, “When should I see a therapist vs psychiatrist?” Here, we’ll walk you through some of the differences so you can make an informed decision in your mental health care.
What’s the Difference between a Psychiatrist vs. Therapist?
To begin, we’ll explore key differences between these mental health roles so you know what to look for when finding treatment for your mental well-being1.
Therapists are health care providers with a Master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or related fields, with additional clinical training during their graduate studies. Their approach to treatment focuses on talk therapy and emotional support, without the ability to make a medical diagnosis.
Benefits of a Therapist
Therapists are here when you need someone to talk to, a guiding hand along the path to experiencing greater emotional and personal growth. Trust in a therapist to help you:
- Develop healthy coping skills and strategies
- Improve communication with those around you
- Learn better stress management skills
- Uncover hidden feelings or issues bringing you down
- Build stronger relationships
- Better navigate your emotional state
Psychiatrists go a step further in mental health care. They are medical doctors holding MD or DO degrees, with additional medical school, internships, and psychiatric residencies. This extensive education allows them to make medical diagnoses via comprehensive patient evaluations, and create treatment plans from there. Treatment may include medication management as well as psychical health monitoring for potential medication side effects, such as hypertension or heart issues.
Benefits of a Psychiatrist
- Can provide thorough evaluations and diagnoses
- Able to prescribe medication if necessary
- Helps with complex psychiatric disorders and medical interventions
You may think that these roles have a lot of overlap, and you’d be right. Both focus on the mind and treating mental health disorders, and it’s not uncommon for them to work together when a patient requires additional help and resources. It’s important to always be open and honest with your provider to ensure your specific needs and goals are met through customized care.
Still unsure which is best? Start with your primary care physician! Your doctor is a great resource in guiding you to the correct treatment provider.
How can I easily choose between a therapist and psychiatrist for mental health care?
We now know the key differences a psychiatrist vs. therapist, so let’s break it down into a simple reference chart that you can use when evaluating your options based on the severity of mental health symptoms2.
| Psychiatrist | Therapist | |
| Education | DO, MD Degree(s) with Psychiatric Training & Residency | Master’s Degree with Clinical Training during Graduate Studies |
| Prescribes Medication | Yes | No |
| Approach to Care | Medical Evaluation and Diagnosis, Medication Management if Needed | Talk Therapy with a Focus on Behavioral & Emotional Changes, Coping Skills |
| Suited For | Complex, Severe Psychiatric Disorders with Symptoms That Affect Daily Life; Co-Occurring Medical & Mental Health Conditions | Mild to Moderate Mental Health Issues (Emotional Regulation, Relationship Problems, Behavioral Challenges) |
Find the Right Help at Mindful Health Solutions
Taking charge of your mental health starts here. Mindful Health Solutions helps connect you with the appropriate board-certified mental health professional for your needs, able to direct you the best treatment for lasting recovery. Contact us today for your initial consultation.
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