Most people use the words psychiatrist and therapist interchangeably, but they are not the same. There are significant differences between them and choosing a different one than what your condition needs can impact your diagnosis and treatment. Learn what the difference is between therapists and psychiatrists and how you should choose a mental health professional in this article. Visit the best Mental Health Clinic in Brooklyn at Doral Health & Wellness or log on to www.doralhw.org.
Major differences between a Therapist and a Psychiatrist
While the terms therapists and psychiatrists are used interchangeably, there are some significant differences between them.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health. They attend medical school to complete their doctoral program in medicine (typically takes 4 years to complete), then complete their residency (specialized training) in psychiatry to obtain a deep understanding of the human mind in a clinical or hospital environment, which takes an additional 4 years to complete.
During this training, they work with a wide range of mental health issues, learning how to diagnose and treat different mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, adult ADHD, children ADHD, or more. Once their residency is complete, psychiatrists undergo certification examination by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology to become “Board Certified Practitioners,” which they need to recertify every 10 years. Some psychiatrists also acquire additional training by pursuing fellowships, which make them experts in things like child and adolescent psychiatry, addiction, geriatric psychiatry, hospice, palliative medicine, and more.
They often work with other mental health professionals, such as psychologists, social workers, and psychiatric nurses, to offer comprehensive care to their patients. They are well equipped to deal with psychiatric emergencies and crises because they have knowledge and expertise in this area to know how to assess the risk of harm to others and themselves.
Whereas a therapist is a broad term for a trained mental health professional who can treat individuals, couples, families, or even groups by navigating their various psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues. Depending on their training, they might not do deep analysis of the mind and body like psychiatrists; instead, they might focus on providing different therapies to patients, helping them to explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
This encouragement helps to facilitate personal insight, emotional healing, and behavior changes. Therapists are trained in or practice one or many types of therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), or more.
Unlike psychiatrists, they don’t prescribe medication. Instead, they work with psychiatrists or other medical professionals to offer you holistic treatment plans for their clients. Therapists play an essential role in providing ongoing support and guidance to individuals with mental health problems.
How to Choose the Right Mental Health Professional
To choose the right mental health professional, you need to consider several factors, such as:
- Type of Issue: If you are dealing with a complex psychiatric condition or need medication, a psychiatrist might be a better choice. They use talk therapy or specific psychotherapeutic approaches to treat your condition.
- Treatment preference: Some people prefer medication over therapy, and vice versa. And some people like the combination of both. So, make sure to opt for the treatment you prefer.
- Insurance coverage: Verify with professionals to know that your insurance plan covers your medical expenses for your treatment. Otherwise, you need to pay out of your pocket.
- Personal comfort: It’s important to find a professional who makes you feel comfortable to work with, has a strong therapeutic relationship, which significantly impacts the effectiveness of your treatment.
Psychiatrists and therapists are both part of the mental health team and offer different treatments to treat mental health issues. Psychiatrists obtain a deep understanding of the brain and body to offer medication, surgery, diagnosis, etc., whereas therapists offer a comprehensive approach for the treatment of your mental health condition. To make a choice, make sure you keep in mind the above-mentioned factors to choose the right mental health professional for your mental health condition.
Need help with your mental health problem? Visit our mental health clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!! For further inquiries, call us on +1- 718-367-2555 to get a consultation. We have some of the finest psychiatrist doctors who listen to your concerns, examine your symptoms, and create a treatment plan to improve your condition as soon as possible. If you need help learning coping methods, register your information and make direct contact with our doctors and psychiatrists to learn those methods, log on to www.doralw.org. Visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212.
