Like a more serious version of the game 'Animal, Mineral, or Vegetable,' knowing whether you need a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist can be confusing and full of questions. If you're struggling with mental health issues, you might wonder if it's time to seek professional help. Unfortunately, when it comes to mental health care, there are a lot of different providers with different specialties. Here's how to know which is the right choice for you.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of mental illness, emotional disturbance, and abnormal behavior.
Psychiatrists are uniquely qualified to understand the complex interrelationship between mental and physical health. They are also trained in the biological basis of psychiatric disorders. A psychiatrist can provide a number of different services to their patients. These services can include but are not limited to:
Psychologist
Psychologists are trained in a number of different psychological theories and approaches, allowing them to tailor their treatment to each patient's needs. Some of the most common psychological theories and approaches include cognitive-behavioral therapy, humanistic psychology, and psychoanalysis.
Psychologists are not doctors. They have not gone to medical school. Rather psychologists have either a master's degree or a doctoral degree in psychology.
Therapist
A therapist is someone who is trained to provide counseling and support. A therapist can help you learn more about yourself, cope with stress and difficult life events, and guide you if you are struggling with addiction, grief, or other issues.
In addition, therapists can help teach you communication and conflict-resolution skills. A skilled therapist can help you learn how to manage stress better, communicate more effectively, and resolve conflicts in a healthy way. While a therapist may only have a bachelor's degree, they are especially skilled at motivating and encouraging people to overcome obstacles in their lives.
Which Is Right For You?
The easiest way to understand which option is right for you without playing 20 questions is to consider the severity of your situation. If you have mental health struggles that require medical intervention, like prescription medication, you should see a psychiatrist. If you do not feel the need for medication but struggle daily with issues derived from childhood trauma or phobias, talk to a psychologist. See a therapist if you need to work through some personal issues, like a relationship problem or job dissatisfaction.
Seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist can be an important step in managing your mental health. If you think you might benefit from seeing someone, talk to your primary care doctor about making a referral.