Psychiatry Vs. Psychology

The study of the mind, emotions, and behavior, psychology was considered a branch of philosophy before becoming an independent discipline in the mid-1800s. Psychology students examine the cognitive and social factors that influence people's actions and reactions. Psychologists employ a variety of therapeutic techniques to help patients heal from trauma and improve their mental health.

psychiatry vs. psychology

Psychologists must earn a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and a doctoral degree in psychology. In many states, candidates also complete a postdoctoral fellowship to accrue additional supervised experience before obtaining licensure and treating clients. The educational process to become a licensed psychologist takes about 8-10 years.

Psychiatrists typically pay more for their education than psychologists because they spend longer in school. However, the return on investment quickly pays off, as the average psychiatrist out-earns the typical clinical psychologist. While this initially attracts many students to psychiatry, there are other factors to consider when choosing between the two professions.

Some prefer clinical psychology because it allows practitioners to spend more time getting to know their clients and fostering deeper relationships with them. While some psychiatrists do choose to provide therapy, most focus on helping patients with medication.

Megan Pietrucha, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist who currently practices in the Chicago area. She holds a bachelor's in psychology from Illinois Wesleyan University and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University. Her clinical interests include the treatment of eating and body image concerns, college student and student-athlete mental health, and mood disorders. Pietrucha has also taught undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology.

On the surface, a licensed psychologist is a mental health professional tasked with supporting the mental well-being of their clients. The nuances of the career, however, cover a wide range of responsibilities depending on the avenue of psychology you choose to pursue.

While psychology encompasses a wide range of career paths in both research and practice, some of the most common careers are in applied psychology. Licensed psychologists earn a degree in one of three areas: school psychology, counseling psychology, or clinical psychology.

While scope of practice is a key difference in psychiatry vs. psychology, each career path also requires different levels of education. Both careers require an undergraduate and graduate degree, but each track has distinct differences worth noting.

Some of these questions may seem too specific, but there are plenty of other ways to identify your interests and how they can be applied to a future career. For example, individuals interested in science like biology and chemistry, who see themselves as a future physician, may lean toward a career in psychiatry. Those who want to provide support to individuals with mental health challenges through talk therapy and interpersonal collaboration, may want to pursue a career in psychology. Finding what interests you about each profession and using that information to guide your ultimate decision is a helpful way to choose the right path.

Becoming a psychologist typically starts with a four-year undergraduate psychology degree program. There are many types of psychology, so specializations may be available in a number of areas, including:

Some students will also go on to complete a fellowship program, Garrin said, which involves additional in-depth training in a psychiatric specialty, such as addiction psychiatry, pediatric psychiatry or neuropsychiatry.

With a career as a psychologist, you could open a private counseling practice and work one on one with patients or be hired as a consultant to help craft a marketing campaign based on buyer psychology. You could work in academia conducting research or work in a hospital setting alongside psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals.

A career as a psychiatrist can also open the doors to a wide variety of professional roles. Many psychiatrists work in hospitals and other medical institutions, but there are plenty of other ways to use a psychiatry degree.

Kendra Cherry, MS, is the author of the "Everything Psychology Book (2nd Edition)" and has written thousands of articles on diverse psychology topics. Kendra holds a Master of Science degree in education from Boise State University with a primary research interest in educational psychology and a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Idaho State University with additional coursework in substance use and case management.

The professions of psychiatry and psychology also differ greatly in terms of education. Psychiatrists attend medical school and are trained in general medicine. After earning an MD, they practice four years of residency training in psychiatry. Their experience typically involves working in the psychiatric unit of a hospital with a variety of patients, from children and adolescents with behavior disorders to adults with severe cases of mental illness.

Psychologists must obtain a PhD or PsyD doctoral degree, which can take up to four or six years. Throughout their education, psychologists study personality development, the history of psychological problems and the science of psychological research. Graduate school provides rigorous preparation for a career in psychology by teaching students how to diagnose mental and emotional disorders in varying situations.

The fields of psychology and psychiatry are both essential in researching and developing treatment for improving mental and emotional health. Differences aside, psychologists and psychiatrists share a common goal: helping people feel better.

Psychiatry and psychology are overlapping professions. Practitioners in both -- psychiatrists and psychologists -- are mental health professionals. Their area of expertise is the mind -- and the way it affects behavior and well-being. They often work together to prevent, diagnose, and treat mental illness. And both are committed to helping people stay mentally well.

But there are differences between psychiatry and psychology. And people sometimes find those differences confusing, especially when they are looking for help. To make matters even more confusing, psychiatrists and psychologists aren't the only mental health professionals you can choose from. There are mental health counselors, social workers, nurses and nurse practitioners, and others who deal with issues of mental health. And if you consider the multiple approaches to treatment, ranging from counseling to various forms of psychotherapy, the whole mental health system begins to look like a maze that's nearly impossible to navigate.

Psychologist. A psychologist has a doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, or EdD) in psychology, which is the study of the mind and behaviors. Graduate school provides a psychologist an education in evaluating and treating mental and emotional disorders. After completing graduate school, a clinical psychologist completes an internship that lasts two to three years and provides further training in treatment methods, psychological theory, and behavioral therapy.

Licensed Mental Health Counselor. A psychological counselor is a mental health professional who has a master's degree (MA) in psychology, counseling, or a related field. In order to be licensed, the professional counselor also needs two additional years' experience working with a qualified mental health professional after graduate school. A mental health counselor is qualified to evaluate and treat mental problems by providing counseling or psychotherapy.

Psychology and psychiatry both attempt to answer fundamental questions about the human mind and help diagnose and treat those with mental health conditions. The professions use different techniques and offer various specializations.

We review some of these key differences and potential careers in each field. Psychology and psychiatry require different training paths, so it's important to figure out which career you want to pursue.

Students typically need a master's degree in psychology, counseling, or a related discipline to work as clinical psychologists. However, depending on your career goals, some social workers offer similar services to a clinical psychologist, requiring a master's degree in social work. You can also pursue a Ph.D. in psychology. This option allows students to pursue independent research alongside your training.

A psychiatrist needs an M.D. to practice. While completing medical school, they need to pass medical board licensure exams. They then need to complete specialty-specific exams in psychiatry while completing their residency.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that psychology jobs are growing about as fast as other jobs, with positions forecasted to grow 6% between 2021 and 2031. The median salary for a psychologist is $81,040 annually.

A director of psychiatry manages a psychiatric department, overseeing a team of doctors. They typically focus on managing, hiring, and training staff. They also may oversee complex cases requiring a larger team.

Psychology and psychiatry have very different work environments. Psychologists often work independently, seeing clients from small, independent offices. Psychiatrists most often work in a team of doctors, nurses, and other professionals in a hospital.

Yes, you can study psychiatry after psychology. Many students with either a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology then go on to pursue an MD. Specializing in clinical psychology, with patient-facing experience, could even be useful in gaining admission into medical school. 041b061a72