People often use the titles “psychologist” and “psychiatrist” interchangeably. But while they’re separated by just a few letters, practitioners of both specialties would tell you their professions are quite different. There are certainly similarities between psychologists and psychiatrists. Both are “mind experts” who treat their patients’ mental and emotional conditions, albeit in different ways that require different qualifications. Let’s compare the two now to give you an understanding of the vital contributions each of these professionals makes toward improved mental health. 

Education, Training, and Licensure for Those Who Wish To Conduct Mental Health Therapy 

  • Psychologists must earn a PhD or MA in clinical, counseling, or school psychology and sit for licensure to become a licensed psychological associate (LPA), a licensed professional counselor (LPC), or a licensed specialist in school psychology (LSSP), respectively, in their state. They are required to complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience on the job prior to sitting for their licensing exam. 
  • Psychiatrists must attend medical school for four years. This includes participating in clinical rotations, typically beginning in the third year. Psychiatrists are licensed medical doctors (MDs) or doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) who complete a three- to four-year residency and obtain certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)—a credential they must renew periodically.   

Approach to Treatment 

  • Psychologists diagnose and treat patients through individual counseling (psychotherapy), group therapy, behavior modification, and other techniques and strategies. There are different types of psychologists that treat various conditions. Psychologists sometimes treat patients in tandem with psychiatrists or other medical doctors who can provide treatment for more complex conditions. 
  • As MDs, psychiatrists are authorized to prescribe medications and will often treat their patients’ conditions with one or more medications. In some cases, they may prescribe electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which today is relatively safe and painless. Psychiatrists also offer psychotherapy and consider the impact of overall physical health on mental health.  

Terminology 

  • There’s debate in the psychology world about the use of the term “patient” versus “client,” with many professionals preferring the latter. 
  • Since psychiatrists are medical doctors, “patients” is the appropriate term for the people they treat. 

One Psychology Degree, Many Career Possibilities 

If you’re fascinated by psychology, considering a psychology career, or want a degree that prepares you for a broad range of careers, The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology may be just what you need. Built on a foundation of general education courses, our program provides a firm grounding in psychological science that will benefit you personally and professionally. You’ll develop critical abilities such as reasoning about empirical research, problem-solving, writing compelling arguments, and thinking critically on theoretical and practical facets of psychology. You’ll build “soft skills” that are in high demand among today’s employers, making your psychology degree one of the most marketable university credentials. 

When you complete your BA in psychology, you will not graduate as a psychologist. You will graduate ready for the next phase of the journey toward that profession, if you choose, or prepared to take on a variety of careers in which psychology, research, and well-honed soft skills are a core component, including: 

  • Human resources professional 
  • Marketing professional 
  • Nonprofit professional 
  • Data scientist 
  • Management professional 
  • Researcher 
  • Case manager 

Online Learning Offers Peace of Mind 

We deliver our BA in psychology program in a 100% online, asynchronous format that offers many advantages. You can complete your classwork on your own schedule from just about anywhere in the world—from Venice, California to Venice, Italy and all points in between. No campus visits are required. This flexibility enables you to give your current professional and personal commitments the attention they deserve while earning a credential that will elevate your career prospects immeasurably. And you can begin the program at any of six start dates during the year. 

See the difference our BA in psychology can make in your future. Request more information about the program or apply now! 

Sources: 
https://www.yourhealthinmind.org/psychiatry-explained/psychiatrists-and-psychologists
https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/psychotherapy-professionals