1.
What Are the
Key
Differences
Between
Psychologists
and
Psychiatrists
Understanding the difference
01
LISA LANDMAN

2.
Choosing a career in
psychology and mental health
gives a lot of opportunities.
A variety of jobs with different levels of experience
and focuses exist in the quickly-growing field. That
said, there's much confusion between the career
paths, particularly that of a psychologist and a
psychiatrist.
WHAT ARE THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGISTS AND
PSYCHIATRISTS
It's crucial to know and
understand the difference.
02

3.
03
WHAT ARE THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGISTS AND
PSYCHIATRISTS
What is a
Psychologist?
Key Points

4.
A psychologist treats mental health
conditions by way of non-
pharmaceutical solutions like various
types of therapy.
Psychologists diagnose psychiatric conditions, practice
psychotherapy and other forms of behavioral
modification, and conduct psychological testing of various
mental conditions.
04
The Basics
WHAT ARE THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGISTS AND
PSYCHIATRISTS

5.
05
WHAT ARE THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGISTS AND
PSYCHIATRISTS
What is a
Psychiatrist?
Key Points

6.
WHAT ARE THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGISTS AND
PSYCHIATRISTS
A psychiatrist is a
medical doctor who
has chosen
psychiatry as a
specialty.
Psychiatrists are allowed to not only
diagnose but also prescribe medication for
psychiatric conditions.
06

7.
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Psychiatrists
To become a psychiatrist requires going
through all four years of medical school,
learning everything required of a doctor, to earn
their Medical Degree. After that, one can
choose psychiatry as their specialty and work
as a resident psychiatrist for four more years.
WHAT ARE THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGISTS AND
PSYCHIATRISTS
Psychologists and Psychiatrists Differ in
Education
Psychologists
Becoming a psychologist requires a doctoral
degree in the field of Clinical Psychology, which
takes 4-6 years of coursework. Courses go in-
depth about all topics in psychology, like
developmental psychology, emotions and
personality, cognitive psychology, and
socioemotional factors.

8.
08
Psychologists and
Psychiatrists in the Field
WHAT ARE THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGISTS AND
PSYCHIATRISTS
Psychologists tend to be more involved in
their patient's treatment since therapy
takes much more time to learn about the
patient. Psychiatrists might not be able to
spend too much time on any single
patient. However, if referred by a
psychologist, both can combine their notes
and the psychologist's diagnosis after
getting to know the patient to find the
right medication.
Usually the psychologist and psychiatrist
work together to ensure they are meeting
a patient's needs. After all, it's not always
either talk therapy or medication. Usually,
a treatment plan requires both, and with
the expertise of both the psychologist and
psychiatrist, a patient's prognosis is more
successful.