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Psychiatrist vs Therapist: Difference Between Mental Health Professionals

When deciding to seek out mental health care, it can be confusing to decide what kind of specialist you should be seeing. Here are some helpful tips to consider when making a decision between seeing a psychiatrist or a therapist.

Understanding Psychiatric Care

Educational Background and Medical Training

Psychiatrists are medical doctors. They need to get their undergraduate degree, go to medical school and complete their internship and residency in psychiatry. Psychiatrists can have an MD license or a DO license. An MD license stands for “Medical Doctor” and DO stands for “Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine” which involves an extra four years of schooling. Psychiatrists primarily are responsible for medication management but can also provide therapy and support.

Professional Development and Specialization

Beyond their core medical training, psychiatrists engage in continuous professional development to stay current with emerging treatment approaches and research. Many psychiatrists pursue additional certifications in specialized areas such as mood disorders, anxiety treatment, or addiction medicine. This ongoing education ensures they can offer the most current and effective treatment options to their patients.

Related: Different Types of Psychiatrists

Comprehensive Assessment Approach

Psychiatric evaluations involve a comprehensive assessment of both mental and physical health factors. During these evaluations, psychiatrists carefully consider how various aspects of a patient’s life – including sleep patterns, diet, exercise, and social support systems – might impact their mental health. They may also request laboratory tests or imaging studies when necessary to rule out underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to mental health symptoms.

Our psychiatrists offer evidence-based mental health treatments and the latest psychiatric medication options through convenient online visits across California or in-person at our locations in the Los Angeles area. Schedule your appointment today.

Exploring Therapeutic Support

Educational Requirements and Licensing

Therapists can have a variety of different licenses. Therapists have to have an undergraduate degree, masters degree and complete 3000 client hours before they’re able to sit for a licensing exam and can become a licensed professional.

Types of Mental Health Professionals

In California, mental health counselors and therapists can be a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), a Licensed Social Worker (LCSW) or have a Doctor of Psychology or a PsyD. All of the licenses are qualified to treat mental health conditions and provide therapy, though their background and education might vary.

Advanced Training and Continuing Education

For a PsyD, they need to continue their schooling after receiving their master’s degree and complete more client hours before they are able to sit for their licensing exam. PsyD’s are also able to engage clients in testing. However, therapists are NOT qualified to discuss or prescribe medication as it’s out of the scope of their license. Additionally, all therapists or PsyDs need to get continuing education hours each year in order to renew their licenses and to make sure that they are at the forefront of their field.

Therapeutic Approaches and Specializations

Therapists utilize diverse therapeutic approaches based on their training and your specific needs. Some therapists specialize in cognitive-behavioral techniques that help reshape thought patterns, while others focus on psychodynamic approaches that explore how past experiences influence present behaviors. Many integrate multiple therapeutic modalities, creating a personalized treatment approach that adapts as your needs change throughout the healing process.

Common Treatment Areas

Mental health professionals commonly work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Therapists are particularly skilled at helping clients develop practical coping strategies for managing daily stressors and improving emotional regulation. They also provide valuable support for individuals navigating grief, personal identity issues, and major life changes.

Comparing Care Approaches

While Psychiatrists are able to provide talk therapy, they generally meet with patients for a more limited amount of time and focus on medication management. Therapists focus on talk therapy and developing coping skills. Both therapists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose mental health disorders and often work in tandem.

Related: Psychiatry vs Clinical Psychology

The Benefits of Integrated Care

Comprehensive Support Model

A benefit of getting care through Neuro Wellness Spa is the integrative, wraparound support. Patients are able to get med management services with a psychiatrist and therapy services with a therapist who can work together to make sure that patient has the best care plan.

Treatment Planning and Coordination

At Neuro Wellness Spa, you can expect to meet with your psychiatrist or nurse practitioner about once a month while you meet with your therapist weekly for the entire 13-week brief, integrative therapy program. Treatment plans look similar for both psychiatrists and therapists as both of them have a goal of symptom reduction. However, psychiatrists focus on how medication can make those changes while therapists focus on identifying triggers, developing coping skills and making effective lifestyle changes.

Evidence-Based Combined Care

Medication and therapy work best in tandem so it’s appropriate to see a psychiatrist and therapist for any mental health conditions, “the combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy was found to be more effective than either treatment alone, particularly in patients with moderate to severe depression 1.”

Managing Crisis Situations

Professional Roles in Crisis Support

Whenever there is a question of medication, it’s best to see a psychiatrist as they are uniquely qualified to help with medication needs. Therapists can offer tools and support that psychiatrists might not be able to offer given the limited time they have with their patients.

Safety Planning and Emergency Response

Therapists are best equipped to support in crisis situations and can help identify coping skills to use in addition to developing a safety plan to ensure that the patient remains safe and doesn’t harm themselves. 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.

Treatment Scheduling and Duration

Psychiatrists might meet with patients more often in the beginning before switching over to maintenance sessions where they’ll meet with you for check ins throughout the year. Traditionally, you might meet with a therapist weekly, but you can also adjust your schedule with your therapist based on your needs and might meet with them every other week, once a month or just as needed for maintenance.

Our Collaborative Approach

Team-Based Care Model

At Neuro Wellness Spa we work as a team to provide the best care to our patients. In addition to medication management, we offer brief therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS therapy) so that you are able to access multiple mental health services under the same roof. With this approach, your team is able to work together to ensure that your needs are met.

Seamless Provider Communication

Your providers can communicate with each other on your behalf without the red tape that comes with seeing multiple providers in different locations and strategize on a personalized treatment plan that works best for you and can continue to monitor your progress with all services you might be getting with us.

Coordinated Treatment Environment

The integration of services at our facility creates a seamless therapeutic environment where all aspects of your mental health care are coordinated and monitored. This collaborative approach allows for quick adjustments to your treatment plan when needed and ensures that all providers are working toward the same therapeutic goals. Regular case conferences between your treatment team members help maintain consistency in your care and allow for comprehensive monitoring of your progress.

Program Structure and Costs

It’s worth nothing that while longer term therapy is more flexible in terms of schedule, our brief, integrative therapy program is 13 sessions and needs to be done weekly until completion. Without insurance, a psychiatrist could cost anywhere between $100-$500 per session while therapy typically can run from $150-$200 a session. However, at Neuro Wellness Spa we accept most major insurances and all you will need to pay is your traditional copay.

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 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 โ€“ from in-person and online psychiatry for medication management to in-person and virtual therapy sessions, plus innovative treatments like TMS therapy. Whether you’re unsure if you need a therapist, psychiatrist, or both, our experienced team will 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

  1. Cujipers, P., Karytotaki, E., Weitz, E., Andersson, G., & Van Strate, A. (2014). Psychological treatment of depression in adults: A meta-analysis of comparative outcomes. Journal of Affective Disorders, 169, 180-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2014.08.015
Our psychiatrists offer evidence-based mental health treatments and the latest psychiatric medication options through convenient online visits across California or in-person at our locations in the Los Angeles area. Schedule your appointment today.

*TMS is FDA-cleared for depression, migraine, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, cigarette cessation, anxious depression, adolescent depression, and chronic post-traumatic/surgical pain. Research indicates that TMS to also be helpful for bipolar depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. Other uses for TMS therapy are considered "off-label." However, there is a growing body of research indicating the potential benefits of these off-label applications for a variety of mental health conditions. Please consult with a psychiatrist to learn more about TMS and off-label uses.
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