Since psychologists and psychiatrists work so closely together in their respective fields, many people confuse one for the other without truly understanding the difference between the two. Since both psychologists and psychiatrists work in conjunction with each other for the well-being of a patient, their job descriptions often overlap with one another.

But What Exactly Is the Difference Between Psychiatry and Psychology?

Psychiatrists are trained, medical doctors. This means that they can prescribe their patients with medications as they spend the majority of their time on medication management as a course of treatment.

On the other hand, Psychologists focus their medical expertise on providing their clients with psychotherapy. A psychologist's primary intent is to treat emotionally and mentally suffering patients with psychoanalysis. Additionally, psychologists conduct psychological testing which is critical for determining the mental state of a patient. However, psychologists are not able to prescribe medications to their patients.

What is The Between the Education of a Psychologist and Psychiatrist?

Much like the nature of their job descriptions and vocational objectives, psychiatrists and psychologists greatly differ in relation to their educations, as well. Psychiatrists must attend medical school and are trained in general medicine. Once they earn their MD, a psychiatrist must practice for four years in residential training in psychiatry. Additionally, psychiatrists usually spend this time working with a variety of different kinds of patients ranging from children to adults.

In terms of a psychology, to become a psychologist one must obtain a Ph.D. or a PsyD doctoral degree. The schooling of a psychologist typically lasts 4-6 years, compared to that of a psychiatrist who can spend as long as 12 years in schooling and residency training after earning a bachelor's degree. Graduate school provides intense preparation for a vocation in psychology by effectively teaching students how to accurately diagnose mental and emotional disorders in different, challenging situations.

The Difference in Practice

It's easy to understand people's confusion about how to the two mental health professions differentiate since both professions work in such a closely knit tandem. However, psychiatrists are typically the last step in a mentally or emotionally suffering patient's journey in getting better. It works like this: First, a mentally suffering patient must go to his/her, primary doctor and ask for a referral to a psychologist. After obtaining a reference to a pscyhologist from their primary physician, a patient is then able to receive counseling where they will be diagnosed and psychoanalyzed. After meeting with the psychologist, the therapist may then determine whether or not medication is needed to treat the patient's symptoms. If the psychologist feels as though the patient may need medication, it is at that point that they may refer that patient to a psychiatrist where they will be able to diagnose and provide medication to said, patient.

To summarize, there are many differences that separate the therapeutic professions of psychiatrists and psychologists. However, they are of equal importance to the mental health industry and are both critical in the treatment of psychologically suffering individuals.

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Because psychologists and psychiatrists often work together for the well-being of the client, their job descriptions overlap.
However, there are several crucial differences between a psychologist and psychiatrist, the most critical being the nature of treatment within the two professions.

Read more at : http://www.allpsychologyschools.com/psychology/psychology-vs-psychiatry/