Psychiatrist vs therapist: who does what?

Mental health conditions can require more than one treatment method, such as medication and talk therapy. But, figuring out which mental health professional to see can be confusing. Who should you see for therapy — a psychiatrist vs therapist or psychologist? What about medication? And who do you see if you need a diagnosis? 

In this article, compare types of mental health professionals to help you understand who does what. 

Need mental health treatment from a licensed psychiatrist or therapist? Find a provider on Klarity Health today for a consultation with a caring mental health professional.

Psychiatrist vs psychologist vs therapist

Psychiatrists, therapists, and psychologists all treat mental disorders. But, their training, roles, and approaches differ.  Here’s how psychiatrists vs therapists vs psychologists compare.

What is a psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists are physicians (MDs or DOs) who specialize in mental health conditions. Qualified psychiatrists diagnose and treat the mental and physical symptoms of mental health conditions, like depression, anxiety, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This means they can create treatment plans and prescribe medication if needed. 

Psychiatrists typically go to medical school and hold a medical degree. They aren’t the only provider option though. Licensed psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants/associates (PAs) can also diagnose and treat mental health issues.

What is a therapist?

A therapist has at least a master’s degree (MS or MA) in counseling, psychology, or social work. They can provide therapy to help you cope with life’s pressures and your mental health disorder. If you need therapy, you can see a mental health therapist, counselor, or clinical social worker.

Licensed mental health counselor or therapist

A licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), licensed professional counselor (LPC), or therapist uses therapy to help you identify and deal with troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. You can find different kinds of therapists depending on your needs.

For example, a private practice licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) focuses on problems surrounding relationships. A behavioral therapist can use techniques, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, to help improve symptoms of mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety. 

Learn about the types of therapy for depression and how therapy helps anxiety.

Licensed clinical social worker

A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illnesses. They take a “person-in-environment” approach to mental health. This means they consider, not only the client, but their community, home life, work, and more. Therapy with a LCSW is designed to help you deal with challenging situations related to your mental health condition and your environment. 

You find clinical social workers in private practice, hospitals, patient-advocacy agencies, and more.

What is a psychologist?

Psychologists study human behavior, mental processes, and how humans interact with their environment. They act in many roles — as researchers, consultants, educators, mental health providers, and more. To be a clinical psychologist (1 who diagnoses and treats mental health conditions), you need a doctorate in psychology. 

Note that psychologists differ from psychiatrists — psychologists aren’t medical providers. In general, they can’t prescribe medications. But, some states (Louisiana, New Mexico, Illinois, Iowa, and Idaho) allow psychologists to prescribe meds if they meet certain education and licensure requirements, which vary by state.

Why see a psychiatrist vs therapist?

You should see a psychiatrist vs therapist if you need a clinical diagnosis and medical treatment for a mental health condition. A board-certified, licensed psychiatrist can evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you. They can also prescribe medication and offer medication management as part of your treatment plan.

Why see a therapist vs psychiatrist?

It’s better to see a therapist vs psychiatrist for psychotherapy as part of your mental health treatment plan. Types of psychotherapy include:

• Behavioral therapy that focuses on changing unhealthy behavioral patterns. For example, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy for people who experience intense emotions.
• Cognitive therapy that helps you recognize unhealthy thought patterns and gives you tools to change them.
• Group therapy that involves meeting with a group led by a therapist for a few hours each week. Groups are designed to help with specific issues, such as depression, grief, or social anxiety.
• Integrative therapy that uses multiple therapy methods and techniques to meet the client’s needs.

A licensed psychologist, social worker, or therapist can diagnose, but they can’t prescribe medication. Instead, they provide therapy for mental health. This involves teaching you techniques to help you deal with difficult emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. 

Why see both a psychiatrist and a therapist?

A combination of medication and therapy is generally the best approach to mental health treatment. That means you likely need to see both a psychiatrist and a mental health counselor/therapist for effective treatment. The 2 providers can also work together to give you the best, and most comprehensive, treatment plan. 

For your treatment plan, how often you go to therapy depends on your needs. Typically, you’ll see your psychiatrist once a month, or so, to manage your medication. Therapy is provided as needed — you can see your provider once a month, once a week, or more often.

How to find a good psychiatrist or therapist?

If you’re looking for a good psychiatrist or therapist, here are few things to consider. 

• Type of provider: Are you seeing a psychiatrist or therapist? Or both? Be sure to know what services your provider offers. Psychiatrists can diagnose mental health issues and prescribe medications. Therapists provide therapy. And there are different types of therapists you can see depending on your needs. 
• Cost: Does your provider take health insurance or set their own rates? Do they offer financial aid or payment plans? Cost is a major factor for most people when finding a mental health provider. So, it’s important that your provider is up front about their rates.
• Availability: Does your chosen provider accept new clients? Do they generally have appointment times when you’re available? Finding a provider who’s available when you are is important, especially when it comes to mental health. 
• Accessibility: Is your provider available for in-person appointments, online, or both? How would you prefer to see your provider? If you want to see your provider in person, make sure that’s an available option. If you prefer online appointments or a mixture of both, find a qualified telehealth provider.
• Approach: How does your provider approach mental health issues? Based on their profile, can you see yourself working with them? Make sure you find a provider who you understand and feel comfortable working with.
• Expertise: Is your provider specialized in anything specific, such as specific cognitive behavioral therapy techniques or an area of focus? Do you need a specialist? If your treatment plan involves a specific type of therapy, like CBT or DBT, you want to find a provider who specializes in it.
• Trust: It’s important to find a qualified mental health provider that’s reputable and you know you can trust. Check their license and record with your state’s related licensing board (for psychiatrists: Board of Medicine, for therapists: Board of Mental Health Practitioners). You can also check reviews from your provider’s current and previous patients on websites like HealthGrades or WebMD.

To find a licensed psychiatrist or therapist, there are a few things you can do. 

• Ask for referrals from your general or primary care practitioner (GP or PCP), friends, or family. 
• If you have health insurance, check your plan’s list of in-network providers. 
• Marketplace services, like Klarity Health, can help you find a mental health professional for appointments online or in-person. Just browse licensed mental health providers until you find 1 you like and book an appointment. 

Learn more about the signs of a bad therapist and the benefits of teletherapy. Or, get online anxiety treatment, depression treatment online, or OCD treatment from a provider on Klarity Health.

Key takeaway

• Mental health providers include psychiatrists, therapists, and psychologists. They can all diagnose mental health conditions, but their roles, approaches, and education differ.
• A psychiatrist has a medical degree from an accredited medical school. And they specialize in mental health. Psychiatrists can diagnose mental health disorders, create treatment plans, and prescribe medications. You can also see a psychiatric NP or PA.
• A therapist provides therapy to help you deal with difficult emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Licensed therapists and clinical social workers can help diagnose mental health disorders, but they can’t prescribe medications.
• Clinical psychologists typically have doctorate degrees and can diagnose and treat mental health conditions. In some states, they can prescribe medication, but have to meet certain requirements.

Find a psychiatrist or therapist on Klarity Health today

Looking for a mental health professional to diagnose and treat you? You can find qualified psychiatrists and therapists on Klarity Health in just a few clicks — and often have an appointment in as little as 24 hours. Find a provider on Klarity Health today for fast and convenient mental health treatment. 

FAQs about therapist vs psychiatrist

Is it better to see a therapist or psychiatrist?

It depends on your needs. It’s better to see a therapist for talk or behavioral therapy. But, if you need a diagnosis and medication management, you want to see a psychiatrist.

Is a therapist better than a psychologist?

It depends. While both can provide therapy and help diagnose you, psychologists typically have higher educational degrees and tend towards research, consulting, or education. This means they may be more knowledgeable about specific aspects of mental health. A qualified psychologist can also prescribe medications if you live in Louisiana, New Mexico, Illinois, Idaho, or Iowa. If you’re wondering whether therapists can prescribe medications, the answer is no.

Should I see a psychologist or psychotherapist?

Whether you should see a psychologist or psychotherapist depends on your needs. Both can diagnose mental health conditions and provide therapy. Neither can prescribe medications, unless you live in a state that permits psychologists to do so. If you’re considering medication for a mental health condition, you want to see a psychiatrist.

How do you tell if a therapist is good or not?

It’s important to have a good therapist to make therapy worth it. To tell if a therapist is good or not, check their license status and patient reviews. To verify your provider’s license status, search your state’s board of mental health practitioners database. You can find reviews from current and previous patients on your provider’s HealthGrades or WebMD profiles. And, learn more about the signs of a bad therapist.

Marketplace services, like Klarity Health, can also help you find reputable therapists for online therapy so you get the most out of your therapy sessions.

Sources

American Psychiatric Association, What is Psychiatry?, https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-psychiatry

American Psychological Association, Careers in Psychology, https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/careers

American Psychological Association Services, Inc., About Prescribing Psychologists, https://www.apaservices.org/advocacy/issues/prescriptive-authority/prescribing-psychologists

National Association of Social Workers, Clinical Social Work, https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Clinical-Social-Work

National Institute of Mental Health, Psychotherapies, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies

Point Loma Nazarene University, What Degree Do You Need to Be a Therapist?, https://www.pointloma.edu/resources/counseling-psychology/what-degree-do-you-need-be-therapist

Social Work License Map, Social Work Vs. Therapy – Is There A Difference?, https://socialworklicensemap.com/social-work-careers/social-work-vs-therapy/

The College of St. Scholastica, What does a clinical social worker do? An insider’s look at a day in the life, Jul. 2015, https://www.css.edu/about/blog/what-does-a-clinical-social-worker-do-an-insiders-look-at-a-day-in-the-life/

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage.  

If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.

How we reviewed this article: This article goes through rigorous fact-checking by a team of medical reviewers. Reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the author.