The primary difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist lies in their training and the services they provide.
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Training:
- Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD or DO) who have completed medical school and a residency in psychiatry. This training allows them to understand the biological aspects of mental health disorders and to prescribe medication.
- Psychologists, on the other hand, typically hold a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD or PsyD) and have extensive training in psychological testing, assessment, and therapy but do not have medical training and usually cannot prescribe medication (though some states allow psychologists with additional training to do so).
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Services Provided:
- Psychiatrists often focus on diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders primarily through the use of medication, though they may also engage in psychotherapy.
- Psychologists mainly provide psychotherapy and counseling, conducting psychological testing and assessments, and focusing on behavioral and cognitive interventions.
In summary, the key distinction is that psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication, while psychologists are trained in therapy and assessment but are typically not able to prescribe medications.