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DEFINITIONS
By A. I. and Staff Reporters

SPONSOR: http://www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org

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The terms “psychologist” and “psychiatrist” are often used interchangeably to describe anyone who provides therapy services, but the two professions and the services they provide differ in terms of content and scope. A major difference between the two types of experts is that psychiatrists can prescribe medication [Rx].

• As physicians [MD/DO] psychiatrists are trained to recognize the ways biological processes affect mental functioning.
• Psychologists are oriented to how thoughts, feelings, and social factors influence mental functioning.

PSYCHIATRIST

Psychiatrists are medical or osteopathic doctors who are able to prescribe psychotropic medications, which they do in conjunction with providing psychotherapy though medical and pharmacological interventions are often their focus.

PSYCHOLOGIST

Though many psychologists hold doctorate degrees, they are not medical doctors, and most cannot prescribe medications. Rather, they solely provide psycho-therapy, which may involve cognitive and behavioral interventions, psycho-dynamic or psycho-analytic approaches.

NOTE PROTECTED TITLE: The title of “psychologist” can only be used by an individual who has completed the required education, training, and state license requirements. Informal titles, such as “counselor” or “therapist,” are often used as well. Other mental health care professionals, such as licensed social workers, can claim those titles, but not the title of “psychologist.”

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Filed under: Ask a Doctor, Career Development, CMP Program, Drugs and Pharma, Glossary Terms, Health Economics, Health Insurance, Health Law & Policy, Healthcare Finance, mental health | Tagged: CMP, DO, MD, mental health, PhD, psychiatrist, psychiatry, Psychologist, psychology, Psychotherapists, social workers, what is a do?, what is a psychiatrist?, what is a psychologist?, what is a psychotherapist?, what is a social worker?, what is an MD?, what is mental health? |