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by maddock on August 27th, 2005
Psychiatrists are specialists in physical disorders of the brain and are generally restrict their treatment to medication.
Psychologists are behavioral therapists that use many different cognitive tools to deal with problems, and no drugs (psychologists cannot prescribe medication unless they possess a degree in psychiatry or internal medicine.)
by dancer on September 26th, 2009
A Psychiatrist is an MD and may prescribe medication. Many see their patients for very short periods of time, even 5 minutes, and make a diagnosis. Others try very hard to spend adequate time in psychotherapy. It is more lucrative financially for a Psychiatrist to prescribe medication. They have not been extensively trained as a Psychologist in options of therapy, theorists, because their concentration must be in the medical arena.
A Clinical Psychologist is a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. They have spent doctorate schooling, to include practica, intern and sometimes, residencey, in strictly Psychology therapies, theories, and very few classes in Pharmacology, and medicine. Their sessions revolve around therapy, although many may know psychotrophics as well as Psychiatrists.
A Clinical Director may be a Psychiatrist or a Psychologist.
Psychiatrists are governed by the state Medical Board.
Psychologists are governed by the state Board of Psychologists.
by josie III on September 26th, 2009
A psychiatrist is an MD. Probably most qualified to deal with people with severe psychoses and other debilitating cognitive problems. A psychologist is not an MD and is adequately qualified to council people, often females, about the stress of their frequently normal middle class lives.
by Route 66Truckerman on September 26th, 2009
Both posses PhDs but a psychiatrist is also a medical doctor and can prescribe medication Psychologists deal mainly with Psychotherapy!!
by Piano Player on September 26th, 2009
Since psychiatrists must be medical doctors, they can prescribe medicines, but consequently they tend to feel that medicines are the solutions to all problems. Because of the prerequisite requirement of a medical education, Psychiatrists have far fewer courses on the mind and psychology than psychologists do. Many PhD psychologists have had 10 or more years of study (undergraduate and graduate) in psychology and the mind, most psychiatrists have nothing more than a 2 year residency.
by therapist on September 26th, 2009
psychiatrist is a medical doctor. They prescribe medication and do very limited counseling. Their main goal is medication. A psychologist spends the time actually doing therapy, one on one for long periods of time. We do not prescribe medication.
by Grant aka Guybrush Threepwood on September 26th, 2009
psychiatrists have the ability to prescribe medicine. psychologists don't.
by Anonymous on September 26th, 2009
A psychiatrist has a MD degree
by leeloo on July 19th, 2005
a psychiatrist is a an m.d., therefore can prescribe psychotropic drugs- any drug for that matter. a psychologist does not have the ability to treat via drugs.
by Stu B in his fleece-lined COAT on November 7th, 2009
It's a matter of degree...a psychiatrist holds an MD while a psychologist earns a PhD...
by Thriftymaid on November 7th, 2009
A medical degree vs a doctorate.
by Route 66Truckerman on September 26th, 2009
**posted by mistake!!
*Flag as nonsense!!
by Farino on July 14th, 2005
A psychologist studies the mind and a psychiatrist treats the mind with suggestions of what to do and why.
by therapist on November 7th, 2009
Maybe this will help http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1644694
by tcbtom on November 7th, 2009
A psychaiatrist is an MD and can prescribe medication and a psycologist can't.
by Anonymous on August 30th, 2009
A psychologist usually has less education. Many of them go on to get their masters or doctorate. Whereas psychiatrist is basically a psychologist and a medical doctor. They can prescribe medication as needed. They generally base their resolutions of a person's problem on brain based behaviour. The psychologist usually bases their solutions on various techniques like cognitive behavior therapy or such. The problem is that most if not all human issues are brain based. So it can help to have medication, at least initially, to help the patient. Many psychologists rely on some far fetched therapies to attempt to help a patient. Some of these are a result of no other therapies working. A psychiatrist uses medication and therapy. The patient has a better chance of success.
by The Gay Expositor Avenges His Lordship on November 7th, 2009
Hate to throw in a wrench, but some psychologists can prescribe medications. So far two states allow this, more to follow.
by Rude Bear Ready for Winter on November 8th, 2009
The ability to prescribe drugs. A Psych is first and foremost a Medical DR with advanced training in Mental illness. A Psychologist doesn't have the medical training.
by Bob on December 17th, 2009
psychiatrists are medical or osteopathic doctors. psychologists can earn degrees in clinical or counseling psychology (or other specialties) through doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) or doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) programs. as so many people want to be a psychologist, demand has increased requirements from a bachelor's degree in the 1940s to a master's degree and, finally, a doctoral degree by the 1980s.
psychiatrists trained in the last 20 years are trained using a biological model. essentially, psychiatrists see that most behavioral problems can be treated with medication. the old saying, "if the only tool you've got is a hammer, then, every problem you'll see as a nail" holds true here. psychiatrists are quickly becoming psychopharmacologists. period. at least psychiatrists trained before 1975 were trained to be true mental health practitioners. of all of the specialties in medicine, only pediatrics pays less than psychiatry. as such, many psychiatrists are now trained outside of the united states and they come to the usa for the relatively great lifestyle, relatively good income, and no federal income tax.
psychologists are trained in a variety of things depending upon the individual and their background. some psychologists specialize in forensic psychology, determining issues of competency or mental state ... some psychologists specialize in neuropsychology, testing and helping patients who suffer traumatic brain injuries or alzheimer's like syndromes. some psychologists provide behavioral management services for the most severely mentally ill. some psychologists and therapists and counselors and social workers work at fixing the "walking well" or "walking ill" - those individuals with relatively minor adjustment problems. there are now two states and the department of defense in which psychologists who are trained in psychopharmacology can also prescribe psychotropic medications.
while there is a common perception that psychiatrists are always better trained than psychologists, it is certainly not always true. psychiatrists generally spend 4 years in college studying biochemistry. then, they spend four years in medical school. then one year of internship rotating everywhere. finally, they are then cut loose to work with the mentally ill. so, after 9 years of post-high school education, they begin working with real patients with mental illness. they typically invest three years of psychiatric rotations. then, they are free to take exams and become psychiatrists. psychologists typically study psychological processes / phenomena in their 4 years of college. then, they go to graduate school where they study more psychology, generally 3 to 6 years. then, they go to a pre-doctoral internship for one year. then, they go on to a one year post-doctoral residency. some specialties in psychology require one to serve an additional two years of post-doctoral residency.
in addition to the above, psychiatric nurse specialists / nurse practitioners and physician's assistants can also prescribe MANY psychotropic medications under a physician's supervision.
by rose1980 on November 7th, 2009
Without looking at what? anyway, a psychologist can not prescribe medication while a psychiatrist can.
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