Psychology vs. Psychiatry — Do You Know the Difference?

When someone has the flu, the response is simple: go to the doctor and stay home watching soap operas. But what if the ailment is something that can't be measured by the numbers on a thermometer?

Take Jill, for instance. She suffers from frequent headaches, loss of appetite and trouble getting out of bed in the morning. She avoids spending time with friends, choosing instead to sleep all day.

Concerned that she's suffering from depression, her best friend suggests she "see someone." But, which "someone" will be able to help her – a psychologist or a psychiatrist? Like many people, she Jill doesn't understand the precise difference between the two.

Because psychologists and psychiatrists often work together for the well-being of the client, their job descriptions overlap. However, there are several crucial differences between a psychologist and psychiatrist.

Psychological vs. Psychiatric Treatment

The biggest distinction between the two mental health professions is the nature of treatment. Because psychiatrists are trained medical doctors, they can prescribe medications, and they spend much of their time with patients on medication management as a course of treatment.

Psychologists focus extensively on psychotherapy and treating emotional and mental suffering in patients with behavioral intervention. Psychologists are also qualified to conduct psychological testing, which is critical in assessing a person's mental state and determining the most effective course of treatment.

Psychology vs. Psychiatry Education

The professions of psychiatry and psychology also differ greatly in terms of education. Psychiatrists attend medical school and are trained in general medicine. After earning an MD, they practice four years of residency training in psychiatry. Their experience typically involves working in the psychiatric unit of a hospital with a variety of patients, from children and adolescents with behavior disorders to adults with severe cases of mental illness.

Psychologists must obtain a PhD or PsyD doctoral degree, which can take up to four or six years. Throughout their education, psychologists study personality development, the history of psychological problems and the science of psychological research. Graduate school provides rigorous preparation for a career in psychology by teaching students how to diagnose mental and emotional disorders in varying situations.

After graduate school, psychology students are required to complete an internship that can last one to two years. The internships give them exposure to:

• methods of treatment
• analytical testing
• problem-solving techniques
• psychological theory
• behavioral therapy

After the internship, to become licensed, most states also require one or two years of practical work experience supervised by an authorized mental health professional.

Psychology vs. Psychiatry in Practice

So, after seeing her primary physician for a referral, Jill might work regularly with her psychologist addressing behavioral patterns. That psychologist may refer her to a psychiatrist who can prescribe and monitor her medication. Her psychologist and psychiatrist work in tandem to treat her symptoms from both a behavioral and clinical standpoint.

The fields of psychology and psychiatry are both essential in researching and developing treatment for improving mental and emotional health. Differences aside, psychologists and psychiatrists share a common goal: helping people feel better.