Psychiatry VS Psychology: Similarities and Differences

Psychiatry VS Psychology: Similarities and Differences

What's the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist? The answer may surprise you.

There are many interesting similarities and differences, as well as some myths we are going to debunk. Psychologists and Psychiatrists both treat mental health, and one of the first differences you might see is the varied nomenclature. Both terms start with Psych, dealing with issues of the mind, or Psyche. The difference however is the focus during training. Psychology has the suffix -ology, which comes from the Greek word for the study of or science of. Psychiatry ends in -iatry which comes from the greek words iatreia and iatros, meaning healing, treatment, and/or physician.

Psychiatrists and Psychologists oftentimes treat many of the same issues, only in different ways. Both can work on the research side of the field, or in the practicing side of the field using such techniques as psychotherapy.

Training Differences Between Psychologists and Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists begin on an MD or DO education path, starting with an undergraduate degree in a medical or science related field such as pre-med or biology, for example. A medical degree from an accredited medical institution is the next step. A medical degree is generally 3-4 years and comes in the form of MD or DO. MD stands for Medical Doctor (Doctor of Allopathic Medicine) , and DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathy (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). After that, a Psychiatrist must complete a Psychiatry medical residency at an accredited institution, such as a hospital or clinic. This residency is typically 4 years long and upon its successful completion, a medical license to practice Psychiatry may be obtained.

A Psychologist on the other hand is less medically oriented and more scientifically rooted. A psychologist will attend five to seven years of graduate education and has the options of research of clinical psychology (treating patients). A Psychologist has to go through a similar training program after all graduate education is completed, a one to two year internship at least, before he they can apply for and receive a license to practice Psychology.

Perhaps the Biggest Differences Between Psychology and Psychiatry

Although Psychologists and Psychiatrists handle similar and also different and diverse patients and caseloads, there is one key difference in their ideology. That difference is the power of prescribing medication. Louisiana and New Mexico both allow Psychologists to prescribe, as long as there has been a consultation with and approval of a licensed Psychiatrist.

A Psychiatrist typically focuses more on treating illnesses through pharmaceuticals and less on psychotherapy, and Psychologists focus oppositely, since most cannot prescribe medication. Psychiatrists have the potential to earn more than Psychologists because a Psychiatrists care is normally less time consuming and takes fewer visits and/or less time per visit for appropriate management. Psychologists who tend to favor therapy in the form of 45-50 minute sessions require a higher frequency of sessions, and more time per session. Also, do not be alarmed if you are recommended a mental health professional who is neither Psychologist nor Psychiatrist! Some Therapists are actually CSW's (Clinical Social workers) who have completed graduate and doctoral training in social work and completed a clinical educational program and are licensed. Sources cited : WebMD & Wikipedia

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