Psychology vs. Psychiatry: Definitions, Training, and Roles

Introduction to Psychology vs. Psychiatry

• Psychology: Defined as the science of mind and behavior.

  • Some psychologists provide therapy, but the field encompasses a broader scope.

• Psychiatry: A medical specialty dedicated to the treatment of mental illness.

  • It is considered the more narrow of the two fields.

Background and Training

For Psychology

• Only about half of psychologists become therapists.

• Undergraduate Education: Most future psychologists are psychology majors, though exceptions exist.

• Master's Degree: Optional, takes approximately ${2}$ years.

• Doctoral Degree (PhD):

  • About ${3}$ years for coursework.

  • Approximately ${1}$ additional year for dissertation.

  • A year of supervised experience called an internship.

  • After graduation, an additional year of supervised experience as a fellowship.

For Psychiatry

• Undergraduate Education: ${4}$ years of college.

  • Major can be in any field, provided prerequisite courses for medical school are completed.

• General Medical School: ${4}$ years.

• Specialty Training: ${4}$ additional years of training specifically in psychiatry.

Roles and Activities

What Psychologists Do (specifically those who become therapists)

• Perform psychotherapy.

• Conduct psychological testing, for which they have specialized training.

• Engage in research.

What Psychiatrists Do

• Write prescriptions for mental illnesses when necessary.

• May provide psychotherapy.

• Handle patient hospitalization if required.

• Note on Prescriptions: Most psychiatric prescriptions are not written by psychiatrists, but by other medical professionals such as family doctors, internal medicine doctors, pediatricians, OBGYN doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician's assistants. Psychiatrists are, however, the lead specialists in this area.

Psychiatry as a Medical Specialty

• Psychiatry is one of many medical specialties.

• Other examples include cardiology, neurology, and pediatrics.

Psychology Specialties and Licensing

• About half of psychologists are therapists.

• To be a therapist, a license as a psychologist is required.

• Licensed Specialty Areas in Psychology:

  • Clinical Psychology

  • Counseling Psychology

  • School Psychology (often leads to becoming a child psychologist)

• Psychologists Who Do Not Need a License:

  • Those who are pure researchers.

  • These specialties do not provide mental health services directly to the public.

  • Examples include developmental psychologists, cognitive psychologists, personality psychologists, and educational psychologists.

Summary of Key Distinctions

• Psychiatry: A specialty within medicine.

• Psychology: Also has specialties; mental health professionals within psychology primarily include clinical, counseling, and school (or child) psychologists.

• The instructor is trained as a counseling psychologist with a postdoc in clinical psychology.