What are the differences between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

Although both are doctoral level mental health professionals, psychiatrists and psychologists are trained very differently. A psychologist receives five to seven years of graduate school education after college, and undergoes two or more years of supervised practice. A psychiatrist attends medical school after college and trains in a residency program of practice for three or four years. Since the years in school and practice are comparable, one must understand the areas of study in order to understand the difference.

Psychologists are trained to observe, measure, and change the cognitions, behaviors and emotional responses of organisms. They learn how to design experimental research and how to carefully interpret data from scientific literature. Those who specialize in clinical psychology become well acquainted with various principles and techniques crucial to diagnosing and treating people with significant life struggles and with mental illnesses. They closely study the factors that affect the course of all human relationships, including those that influence a therapeutic relationship.

Psychiatrists are trained to recognize and understand medical diseases as well as the neurological and physiological processes involved in mental illnesses. They learn how to administer psychoactive drugs and other somatic procedures (e.g., electroconvulsive shock) in order to mitigate the symptoms of mental illnesses. Although much of their academic training is shared by those prepared for other medical specialties, residency programs include practical training in engaging patients in a therapeutic relationship. In this context, psychiatrists can prescribe medication; psychologists cannot.