Therapist, Psychologist, Psychiatrist

What’s the difference?

There are many different aspects of the mental health field and understanding it all can be confusing. Let's start with the most basic question: What are the different types of mental health professionals and what do they do?

Therapist:
A therapist is a mental health professional who has earned a masters degree in counseling psychology or related field. Therapists can provide therapy to individuals, couples, groups, and families and their focus can be general (e.g. "I treat depression and anxiety") or very specific (e.g. "I specialize in treating children with attention deficit disorder"). Therapists do not prescribe medication or administer psychological tests.

Psychologist:
A psychologist is a mental health professional who has earned a PhD (doctor of philosophy) or PsyD (doctor of psychology). Psychologists provide therapy, but can also administer psychological tests. Psychologists do not prescribe medication.

Psychiatrist:
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has earned an M.D. Psychiatrists treat mental health disorders first by ruling out biological factors, then usually treating with medication. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication and administer psychological tests.