Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist

Key Differences


Psychiatrist and Psychologist Definitions
Psychiatrist
Psychologist
Psychiatrist
Psychologist
Psychiatrist
Psychologist
Psychologist
Psychologist
What is Psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry. He is basically expert in diagnosis and treatment of mental health like mental disorders. He is a medical doctors and evaluate patients to check whether their symptoms are the due to physical illness, a combination of physical and mental or a strictly psychiatric one. A psychiatrist may perform a mental status and physical examination, brain imaging such as CT or CAT scan, MRI, PET and blood testing. Psychiatrist write prescriptions and may also use psychotherapy, however, most of the psychiatrist refer the patient to psychologist or another expert therapist for weekly to bi-monthly psychotherapy.
What is Psychologist?
A psychologist is a doctor who evaluates, diagnoses and examine mental process of patient. A psychologist provide mental health care and some conduct research and provide consultation services. He work with patient in various therapeutic contexts like clinical, counseling and school psychologists. There can be industrial, organizational, community, and academics psychologists as well who performs psychological research, techniques and theories to “real world” problems and questions in their respective field of study. According to American Psychological Association (APA), there are over 56 types of work with patient in various therapeutic contexts like clinical, counseling and school psychologists.