Differences Between Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist And Psychoanalyst

There are, for all that they share, differences between psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and psychoanalyst. It is easy to identify in which professional field they operate, but not what distinguishes them. However, there are important differences between each figure.

Mental health professionals have to differentiate themselves. Students interested in training need to know all the information to choose. Users, patients or clients have the right to really know what treatment they are going to receive. If that treatment is adequate and if it is going to be given by someone who really has all the necessary training.

Therefore, it is a question of knowledge that affects us all: academics, professionals, students and users. So, let’s see what these differences are between psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and psychoanalyst.

Differences between psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and psychoanalyst

The most significant difference between psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and psychoanalyst is the approach with which they treat the phenomenon of mental health and propose its approach and treatment. This difference has to do, originally, with training.

Psychologist

A psychologist is a professional who has received training in psychology. Psychologists do not necessarily work in a clinical setting.

Advanced degrees and licenses are required for all areas of work of a psychologist (human resources, educational area, etc.).

For example, for the field of clinical psychology in the public service the PIR is needed; a training that is accessed by public opposition. Perhaps this is the most demanded branch of psychology in today’s society. However, the public offering is negligible compared to other European countries, which has a direct impact on the quality of the service.

There are few psychologists and many patients. Thus, the time they can dedicate to each one of them is minimal and they are only capable of assuming the most serious cases or that they have enough patience to endure months of the waiting list.

Unlike the psychiatrist, the psychologist is not qualified to prescribe drugs. Sometimes a psychologist can work with a psychiatrist to control the pharmacological part of the intervention, while the psychologist provides psychotherapy.

Psychotherapist

Psychotherapist is a general and nonspecific term that, due to its breadth, often generates confusion. A psychotherapist is a psychologist or psychiatrist who has specialized in psychotherapy.

It is a huge mixed bag in which scientifically supported currents are mixed with those that are weaker or that have been successful only in very specific cases. Currently there are many psychotherapies with great popularity such as neurolinguistic programming (NLP), gestalt psychotherapy, narrative therapy, hypnosis, etc.

These types of therapies have a more directive style, so some people find them more comfortable. The problem, as we have said before, is that many times they do not have studies that support the interventions that are prescribed.

Psychoanalyst

The psychoanalyst is usually a psychologist with a very particular complementary training. In Spain it is not the most common current of intervention, while in other countries it is. Perhaps its most representative territory is Argentina. Professionals who practice within this trend usually carry out their own personal analysis before practicing.

The psychoanalyst’s approach is analysis, whether with or without a couch. One of the main differences with the other psychological approaches is that they give special importance to the process by which information that is below consciousness emerges to the surface and can be worked on by the client / patient / person.

That is, this current of thought believes that below the level of consciousness there is a good amount of content that conditions emotions, thoughts and behaviors without us noticing. In itself, this non-conscious life is not pathological; However, there may be elements that are harming us in it, ways that cause us suffering.

Psychiatrist

The psychiatrist is a doctor who has specialized in psychiatry. Because psychiatrists are doctors, they can prescribe a pharmacological intervention. Its focus is generally medical, prioritizing the organic aspects of mental disorders.

Usually, the psychologist is in charge of the psychotherapeutic treatment and the psychiatrist controls the medication in case it is necessary. It is common for both professionals to work hand in hand in some cases, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder.

Differences between psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and psychoanalyst and joint practice

After seeing a primary care doctor, do a first evaluation. This can refer you to a psychiatrist – the most common procedure – or directly to a psychologist.

Sometimes, one can request the intervention of the attached specialty to complement the treatment. In this sense, the psychologist and psychiatrist can work together to treat the patient’s symptoms from a behavioral and clinical point of view.

The fields of psychology and psychiatry are essential for researching and developing treatments to improve mental and emotional health. Differences aside, psychologists, psychotherapists, psychoanalysts, and psychiatrists share a common goal: to help people achieve general psychological well-being.