When you’ve decided to seek mental health care, deciding what kind of specialist you should see can be confusing. Learning how different mental health professionals support your wellbeing–from psychiatrists to therapists–can help you make a choice that truly aligns with your needs.
The key is to match your specific needs with the provider whose expertise can best support your mental health goals. Here are some helpful tips to consider deciding between seeing a psychiatrist or a therapist.
Understanding the Role of a Psychiatrist
If you’re wondering if it’s time to see a psychiatrist, it’s imperative to understand what you can expect from psychiatric care. These specialized physicians bring a unique medical perspective to mental health treatment, combining their understanding of both the mind and body to provide comprehensive care that addresses the full spectrum of your well-being.
Here’s a breakdown of what a psychiatrist does and their treatment approach.
Education, training, and licensing in psychiatric care
Many people do not realize that psychiatrists are doctors who can perform medical treatments. Psychiatrists need to get their undergraduate degree, finish medical school, and fulfill internship requirements in addition to completing their residency in psychiatry. They typically have earned a Medical Doctor (MD) license or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) license, which requires an extra four years of schooling. Psychiatrists are primarily responsible for medication management and prescribing, but can also provide therapy and support.
Professional development and advanced training in psychiatric care
Beyond medical training, psychiatrists engage in continuous professional development and ongoing education to stay current with emerging treatment approaches and research. Many pursue additional certifications in specialized areas such as psychiatric care for anxiety disorders, mood disorders, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, or addiction medicine.
Types of psychiatrists
There are several types of psychiatrists, each with specialized training and expertise. These include specialists in addiction psychiatry, adolescent psychiatry, adult psychiatry, and geriatric psychiatry. There are also psychiatrists who have expertise in certain fields–such as forensics or crisis care–and some that specialize in treating certain conditions–like mood disorders, anxiety disorders, or trauma.
Psychiatric approaches to treating mental health disorders
Psychiatrists approach treatment through a medical lens and primarily focus on evaluating mental health symptoms and adjusting treatment plans. They assess how brain chemistry and physical health affect mental wellbeing, using their medical training to prescribe and monitor medications that address the biological aspects of mental illness.
What to expect during a psychiatric evaluation
Psychiatric evaluations involve a comprehensive assessment of both mental and physical health. During this assessment, psychiatrists carefully consider how various aspects of your life–including sleep patterns, diet, exercise, and social support systems–might impact your mental health. They may also request genetic testing or imaging studies to rule out underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to your symptoms.
Related: Psychiatry vs. Clinical Psychology
Understanding the Role of a Therapist
If you want to avoid medication and simply need a supportive environment to speak your mind, a therapists or licensed mental health counselors might be your best bet. Here’s how therapists can support your mental wellbeing.
Education, training, and licensing in therapeutic care
Therapists can pursue a variety of licenses. Typically, therapists must earn an undergraduate degree, master’s degree, and have completed a specified amount of client hours before they can take a licensing exam and become a licensed professional. In California, you must complete 3,000 client hours to become a therapist.
Professional development and advanced training in therapeutic care
If a therapist wants to become a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), they must continue schooling after receiving their master’s degree and complete additional client hours before they’re eligible to take a licensing exam. However, this does not qualify them to prescribe medication, as only psychiatrists can write prescriptions. Additionally, all therapists and PsyDs need to meet continuing education hour requirements each year to renew their licenses and ensure they are current in their field.
Types of therapists
In California, therapists can hold several titles, including:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).
- Licensed Social Worker (LCSW).
- Doctor of Psychology, or PsyD.
All of these licenses qualify therapists to implement unique and specific approaches to treat mental health conditions and provide therapeutic support. There are also therapists who specialize in certain fields, such as addiction therapy, OCD therapy, and therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Therapeutic approaches to treating mental health disorders
Mental health professionals commonly work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions. Their scope goes beyond mental health issues, as they can help those who need support navigating grief, relationship challenges, and life transitions.
Therapists are particularly skilled at helping clients develop practical coping strategies for stress and improving emotional regulation. Some specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques for anxiety and depression, while others focus on psychodynamic approaches that explore how past trauma influences current behaviors. However, most therapists integrate multiple therapeutic modalities, creating a personalized treatment approach that adapts to your needs.
What to expect during a therapeutic assessment
Your first therapy session is a thoughtful conversation where your therapist creates a safe, welcoming space to understand what brings you to therapy. They’ll explore your current challenges, how they impact your daily life, and how therapy can benefit you.
This initial meeting helps your therapist understand your unique situation and work with you to create a treatment approach that aligns with your goals. Together, you’ll begin building a therapeutic relationship founded on trust and mutual understanding.
Related: Psychiatrist vs. Therapist vs. Counselor
Comparing Care Approaches: Psychiatrist vs. Therapist
Therapists primarily focus on talk therapy and developing coping skills. Here’s how therapists and psychiatrists can work together to create a cohesive treatment approach to addressing mental health disorders.
Managing crisis situations
Figuring out how to navigate crisis situations is key for your safety. Here’s a look at how therapeutic care compares to psychiatric care in crisis situations:
- Safety Planning and Emergency Response: Therapists provide in-depth emotional support and help create comprehensive safety plans during regular sessions, while psychiatrists can make rapid medical decisions about medication adjustments or higher levels of care when crises emerge.
- Professional Roles in Crisis Support: While therapists excel at helping you manage stress and creating detailed safety plans for crisis situations, psychiatrists can provide crucial medical support through medication adjustments and, when necessary, coordinate with hospitals for higher levels of care.
It’s important to note that neither therapists nor psychiatrists are available 24/7, and if you experience any suicidal or homicidal ideation it’s important that you call 911.
Medication management roles
Psychiatrists have the medical training and authority to prescribe and manage medications for mental health conditions, carefully monitoring your response. For example, if you’re showing signs that your antidepressant dose is too low, psychiatrists can adjust the dosage.
While therapists cannot prescribe medication, they often work collaboratively with psychiatrists, providing valuable observations about your progress and helping you process any concerns about medication as part of your overall treatment journey. Both therapists and psychiatrists can also recommend alternatives to treating conditions such as depression, like talk therapy or TMS therapy. This partnership between providers ensures you receive comprehensive support for your mental health needs.
Related: A Comprehensive Guide To Who Can Prescribe Antidepressants
Treatment scheduling and duration
While psychiatrists can provide talk therapy, they generally meet with patients for a limited amount of time and focus on medication management. In the beginning, psychiatrists typically meet with you more frequently and for longer before switching over to maintenance sessions, where they’ll meet with you occasionally for check-ins. On the other hand, you’ll traditionally meet with a therapist weekly with adjustments made based on your mental health needs.
Integrated Care: The Benefits of Seeing a Psychiatrist and Therapist
One benefit of getting care through Neuro Wellness Spa is the integrative, all encompassing support. You can get medication management services with a psychiatrist and therapy services with a therapist who can work together to make sure that you have the best care plan.
Understanding how your treatment plan might involve an integrated approach can help you make an informed decision. Here are some benefits of seeing both a psychiatrist and therapist.
Comprehensive support model
When therapists and psychiatrists work together, they create a powerful synergy in your mental health care. Think of it as having two specialists combining their unique perspectives–one bringing expertise in medication and biological factors, the other offering deep emotional support and practical coping strategies. If you opt for an online psychiatrist, they can work in tandem with a telehealth therapist to coordinate your treatment approach.
This integrated approach means your medication management seamlessly aligns with your therapeutic progress, while your therapy sessions can help you process and adapt to any medication-related changes. Together, they form a complete circle of care that addresses both the physiological and psychological aspects of your wellbeing.
Related: The Practical Benefits of Online Psychiatry
Treatment planning and coordination
At Neuro Wellness Spa, we thoughtfully align your psychiatric and therapeutic care for optimal support. Your monthly medication management sessions with a psychiatrist or nurse practitioner work in harmony with weekly therapy sessions throughout our 13-week integrative talk therapy program. This coordinated approach ensures your medication treatment enhances your therapeutic progress, while your therapist helps you process changes and develop coping skills. Together, your providers maintain open communication, creating a treatment rhythm that supports your healing journey from every angle.
Evidence supporting the combined care model
Research published in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice confirms that combining psychiatric medication with therapy offers superior outcomes compared to either treatment alone. This integrated approach is particularly effective for those struggling with a moderate to severe depression diagnosis, where the combination of medication management and therapeutic support addresses both the biological and psychological aspects of mental health. Studies show this comprehensive care model leads to better symptom improvement and stronger long-term recovery outcomes 1 .
Benefits of a Collaborative Approach at Neuro Wellness Spa
At Neuro Wellness Spa, we can create a comprehensive and collaborative care model that supports your mental health progression. Here’s what that looks like for you.
Team-based care model
Neuro Wellness Spa’s care team works together to provide the best care to our patients. In addition to medication management, we offer brief integrative psychotherapy so that you can access multiple mental health services under the same roof. With this approach, your team can work together to ensure your needs are met.
Seamless provider communication
If you choose to seek mental health support at Neuro Wellness Spa, your psychiatrist and therapist can work together under one roof, maintaining constant communication about your care. This close collaboration means your care team will share insights so you won’t have to bridge communication gaps between providers or retell your story.
Coordinated treatment environment
Our thoughtfully designed collaborative environment allows your providers to coordinate every aspect of your treatment, sharing observations and insights in real-time to support your progress. You’ll update your care team through regular consultations, which means you can focus entirely on your healing journey. No more filling out the same paperwork again and again, or driving to a treatment center you’ve never been to before.
Program structure and insurance costs
We believe financial concerns shouldn’t stand between you and quality mental health care. While the self-pay cost of a psychiatric visit typically ranges from $100 to $500 and therapy sessions from $150 to $200, we work to make treatment accessible by accepting most major commercial insurance company plans. This means your out-of-pocket costs may be limited to your standard copay, making comprehensive mental health support more attainable.
To understand your specific coverage and explore payment options that work for you, we welcome you to contact us and check if there’s a Neuro Wellness Spa location near you. Together, we can discuss how to make your mental health care both clinically effective and financially manageable.
Comprehensive treatment philosophy
Our comprehensive approach to mental health treatment extends beyond traditional therapy and medication management. We understand that healing often requires a multi-faceted approach, which is why we offer innovative treatments like TMS therapy for those in Southern California, alongside conventional therapeutic methods. This integrative model allows us to address mental health challenges from multiple angles, increasing the likelihood of positive outcomes for our patients.
Neuro Wellness Spa’s Commitment to Care
At Neuro Wellness Spa, we understand that seeking mental health care can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve made it simple by offering comprehensive care all under one roof–from in-person and online psychiatry and in-person and virtual talk therapy, to TMS therapy and medication management for those in California. Whether you’re unsure if you need a therapist, psychiatrist, or both, our experienced team can guide you to the right combination of services for your unique situation. Take the first step today by contacting us to schedule your initial consultation.
References
- Dunlop, B. W. (2016). Evidence-Based applications of combination psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for Depression. FOCUS the Journal of Lifelong Learning in Psychiatry, 14(2), 156–173. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20150042