Do you know the difference between a psychiatrist vs. psychologist? When it comes to therapy and treatment for mental health disorders, the language and labels can be confusing. Someone who wants to start therapy often finds themselves unsure of if they need psychiatry vs. psychology. We explore the differences in this article to help you make the right decision for your specific needs.
Renewal Oasis offers several options to those who want help improving their mental health. We employ different levels of treatment professionals so that each individual gets the care they need from licensed experts. We offer both residential and outpatient care and are happy to discuss your needs and how we can meet them. Don’t let confusion about who to see for help improving your mental health keep you from reaching out to us. `
Psychiatry vs Psychology
Many people wonder what the difference is between psychiatry vs psychology. A psychiatrist can provide several services that include providing a diagnosis, managing treatment, and providing prescription medications. Both professionals can provide therapy, which gives a person the choice between seeing a psychiatrist vs psychologist. However, psychology is more about talk therapy, whereas psychiatry often includes that as part of a fuller package of services that include medication management. Many psychiatrists do not offer talk therapy.
Psychiatrist vs Psychologist
There are a few differences between someone who is a psychiatrist vs a psychologist. The first is the training the individual undergoes to become licensed. Psychiatrists go to medical school and obtain their medical training with at least 11 years of schooling. Then the individual engages in specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. Their medical training gives them special insight into how a person’s mental and physical health problems can correlate.
Psychologists spend at least six years training in the field of mental health. A psychologist may have a Master’s or Doctoral degree, but they do not attend medical school, nor can they prescribe medications.
How to Choose Between a Psychiatrist vs a Psychologist
When someone is trying to decide between seeing someone who practices psychiatry vs psychology, here are a few things to consider. If the person is new to therapy, they may want to start with a psychiatrist who can do a thorough assessment and provide an exact diagnosis of any mental health disorders. From there, a need for any prescription medications can be determined. Because many psychiatrists do not offer talk therapy, the person can then begin seeing a psychologist for this purpose. They will have regular appointments with the psychiatrist to discuss the impact of the medications and to make any necessary changes.
Another option is to make an appointment with a psychologist first. Some offer diagnostic testing to determine a diagnosis while others refer the person to a singular appointment with a psychiatrist for this service. In this situation, the person concentrates on their talk therapy sessions and only sees the psychiatrist when and if they need medication.
The assumption might be made that a psychiatrist must be better because they have more years of training. However, what choice a person makes depends on their specific needs. As long as they are licensed and feel like a good fit for the individual after an appointment or two, both can provide valuable services.
An advantage to seeing either a psychiatrist or psychologist is that they both practice in many places. They can be found in residential centers, outpatient programs, hospitals, schools, community centers, prisons, and more.
Where to Find The Best Psychiatrist or Psychologist Near Me
Once a person has made the decision about whether to see a psychiatrist vs psychologist, they then face the task of finding the right one for them. There are a few approaches to looking for the right person to help treat someone’s mental health disorders. First, an online search will turn up lots of options, especially if the individual includes their location in the search terms. Another way to find help is to ask family members and friends if they can recommend someone.
As well, asking a person’s physician for a reference will often turn up a few different people worth calling. Insurance companies can also help by letting their customers know which treatment professionals are in their network and providing contact information.
Contact Renewal Oasis to Learn How Our Mental Health Treatment Works
Determining the difference between psychiatry vs psychology can feel confusing, especially when the person is searching for immediate treatment for their mental health. Everyone wants to work with someone who meets their exact needs so they save time and money not going to several different professionals. Renewal Oasis created our programs to target the needs of a variety of people and mental illnesses. We include both residential and outpatient programs that include different types of therapists, therapy, and access to medications. With our compassionate instructions, each person learns to put to rest the issues that have held them back and move forward to a bright future. Contact us now if you would like more information. Our admissions staff can answer your questions and help you determine your insurance coverage.
