PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
The Basic Differences Between Them
| Psychologists | Psychiatrists | |
| What training is required? | A psychologist must have a doctoral degree (either a Ph.D., or PsyD. or Ed.D.). The graduate level coursework is exclusively in psychology. A doctoral degree requires 4 to 6 years of study in addition to a 4 year bachelor's degree. | A psychiatrist must have a medical degree (either a M.D. or D.O. degree). The graduate level coursework is primarily in medicine with some specialty courses in psychiatry. A psychiatric degree requires 5 to 7 years of study in addition to a 4 year bachelor's degree. |
| Where do you find them working? | Treatment and research settings. Many work in clinics, mental hospitals or private practice doing therapy. Many others conduct research at universities or for the government or private industry. | Treatment settings almost exclusively. By far, most psychiatrists work in clinics, mental hospitals or private practice doing various forms of therapy. |
| How do they view the nature of mental disorders? | A psychologist is most likely to view abnormal behavior as being caused by either psychological or biological factors, depending on the type of mental disorder. | A psychiatrist is most likely to view abnormal behavior as a medical problem requiring a medical treatment. They have a notable tendency to view most if not all disorders as being more biological in nature. |
| Can they prescribe drugs? | A psychologist has no medical training and thus cannot prescribe medication for the treatment of disorders. | A psychiatrist is a medical doctor and thus can prescribe medication for the treatment of disorders and they often do so with great frequency. |
| Is there a difference in income? | On the average (nationally), a psychologist (Ph.D.) receives approximately $80 to $100 for a one hour individual psychotherapy session. In the Dallas metro area, the going rate is around $120. | On the average (nationally), a psychiatrist (M.D.) receives about $100 to $150 for a one hour individual psychotherapy session. Again, in the Dallas metro area it is toward the upper end of this range. |