Psychologist and psychiatrist: These two similar-sounding career paths can each offer a fulfilling option for anyone looking to work in the mental health field.

But what is the difference between a psychologist and psychiatrist? This is a question most commonly asked by patients seeking treatment, but it is also a critical consideration for students pursuing careers in mental health.

In short, psychologists are mental health professionals who use behavioral treatment strategies (like psychotherapy approaches) to address conditions. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, are medical professionals who primarily use biologically-centered (rather than behavior-centered) approaches to treat mental health conditions.

This is just the beginning of the conversation about the difference between a psychologist and psychiatrist. Below, we compare these two professions in even greater detail, exploring the education, skills, and training required for each.

What is a Psychologist?

Psychologists are mental health professionals who typically use behavior-based strategies to understand and treat patients’ mental health concerns.¹ Psychologists (sometimes called clinical psychologists or counseling psychologists) specialize in:

• Therapy: Using strategies to help patients identify and adjust challenging emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
• Behavioral science: Observing, analyzing, and understanding human behaviors and their impact on individuals and groups.
• Understanding mental processes: Using a thorough knowledge base of psychological concepts to assess and understand how people think.

With these skills, psychologists have a variety of career options. They may:

• Provide direct patient care in a clinical setting
• Serve as leaders or consultants in healthcare or the private sector
• Perform and publish scientific research related to psychology
• Educate the next generation of mental health professionals

Psychologist’s Education and Training

Psychologist education requirements vary by state, but most states require practicing psychologists to earn a doctoral degree. Future professionals have three main options for doctoral programs in psychology:

• A PhD in Clinical Psychology
• A PsyD in Clinical Psychology
• An EdD in Clinical Psychology

If you are considering a career as a psychologist, which of these degree programs is right for you? While an EdD (a doctorate in education) is a common route for future psychology educators, many practicing psychologists consider the PhD vs. PsyD.

• The PsyD degree is primarily focused on clinical training. While many programs are rooted in key psychology research (and programs often require students to learn critical research methods), PsyD graduates typically work in direct patient care or other healthcare-centered careers.
• The PhD degree is primarily research-focused. PhD programs usually require students to conduct original research and complete a dissertation in order to graduate; this can extend the timeline compared to the PsyD track. PhD graduates typically work in research capacities for universities, healthcare organizations, non-profits, or regulatory agencies.

So, what can you do with a doctorate in psychology? With advanced degrees like the PhD or PsyD, you can explore careers in therapy, academia, research, organizational consulting, or program development. 

Treatment Focus

Psychologists (both PhD- and PsyD-educated professionals) are experts in various therapeutic techniques. Some of these include:²

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavioral therapy
• Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapies
• Humanistic therapy
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy

All of these approaches fall under the umbrella of “psychotherapy.” During a psychotherapy session, a patient talks with a psychologist in a confidential setting in order to better understand their mental processes and develop personal coping mechanisms. This is often referred to as talk therapy, and it plays a central role in many psychologists’ practices.

Ultimately, this is the treatment focus of psychologists: using psychotherapies to help patients unpack, understand, and adjust their thoughts and behaviors to improve their quality of life.

Where does medication come in? For many patients, a combination of psychotherapy and prescription drug treatment offers an effective, multi-pronged approach to mental health care (though some patients choose just one of these routes). But can psychologists prescribe medications?

Until recently, psychologists were not authorized to prescribe medications. However, as of 2024, seven states have changed their guidelines to give psychologists prescribing authority: Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Utah.³

Who primarily prescribes mental health medications in other states? That would, in most cases, fall within the scope of the psychiatrist.

What is a Psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists are doctors or Nurse Practitioners (NPs) who specialize in treating mental health disorders.⁴ Instead of a behavioral approach, psychiatrists take a medical approach to treatment. This can sometimes take the form of prescription drug treatments. Psychiatrists work with patients to diagnose and manage mental health conditions using their expertise in both medicine and psychology.

Psychiatrists specialize in:

• Medical practice: Using medical treatments and approaches to assess patients, provide diagnoses, and develop treatments
• Pharmacology: Applying knowledge of chemistry and biology to understand how compounds behave and interact in the body (specifically related to mental health).
• Understanding mental processes: Analyzing how chemical and biological processes inform emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Psychiatrist’s Education and Training

What does psychiatrist education look like? Future psychiatrists may pursue a medical degree or become Nurse Practitioners.

The psychiatrist training path depends on which qualification a future practitioner wishes to pursue.

For future physicians, the process includes:⁵

1. Medical school: A four-year program to become a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).
2. Residency programs: An additional three to four years spent developing specialized expertise in a specific practice area (like psychiatry).

For future NPs (sometimes called Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, or PMHNPs), the qualification process includes:⁶

• A BSN program: A two- to four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program qualifying students for clinical practice and the NCLEX (the National Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (RNs)).
• An MSN program: A multi-year Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program exploring advanced practice and specialties (including psychiatric mental health nursing).

Hands-on clinical training and direct patient care experiences lie at the heart of both of these career pathways.

Treatment Focus

Like some psychologists, psychiatrists are primarily engaged in clinical care. However, psychiatrists focus on the medical and biological aspects of mental health. MDs, DOs, and NPs all have authorization to prescribe medications to manage mental health disorders, for example.

Some common conditions psychiatrists might treat include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Mood disorders
• Schizophrenia
• ADHD

While clinical psychologists typically use behavioral strategies to help patients manage these conditions, psychiatrists employ their knowledge of medicine to help patients understand the biological processes behind their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Put simply, psychology is more therapy-focused, while psychiatry is more medicine-focused.

Key Differences Between Psychologists and Psychiatrists

So, what is the difference between a psychologist and psychiatrist? As you can see, there are many.

Here is a quick recap of the key comparisons between these two career paths.

• Treatment approaches: There are clearly defined treatment differences between psychologists and psychiatrists. Psychologists typically focus on psychotherapy and behavior when treating mental health conditions. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, address both the biological aspects of mental health conditions (chemical imbalances in the brain, for example) and touch on psychological aspects.
• Prescribing authority: Can a psychologist prescribe medication? While clinical psychologists can prescribe medications in some states, this is not the norm. Psychiatrists prescribe medication in the vast majority of states: MDs, DOs, or NPs are all authorized to write prescriptions for patients. While not all patients choose to use medication in mental health treatment, this is a critical consideration for anyone pursuing a career in this field.
• Educational requirements: The mental health field offers broad career options; it also offers broad educational options. If you are considering a career in psychology research, you may pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. If you want to help patients use behavioral strategies in the clinical space, the PsyD may be the best fit for you. If you are interested in medicine, biology, and chemistry and want to use these to help patients manage their mental health, a psychiatrist education program (an MD, DO, or NP program) is your best match.

What Are the Career Pathways for Psychologists and Psychiatrists?

Career options for psychiatrists and psychologists heavily depend on qualifications—specifically, which degree programs these professionals complete and their field experiences.

• PhD in Clinical Psychology graduates (psychologists) are well-suited for roles in research, policymaking, or regulatory enforcement. However, these graduates are also often qualified for clinical practice.
• PsyD in Clinical Psychology graduates (psychologists) are highly trained to use psychotherapy approaches in the clinical setting. They provide counseling services, perform social work, advocate for patients, work in community health, and pursue other clinically-focused careers.
• MD and DO program graduates (psychiatrists) are qualified to practice medicine in their chosen specialty (after completing residency). They can prescribe mental health medications in hospital settings, private practice, and other clinical areas.
• NP program graduates (PMHNPs) can prescribe medications and provide medical treatment in the clinical space—just like MDs and DOs.

Choosing the right career in mental health can be challenging. Psychologist career options range from research to clinical practice; psychiatrist career pathways almost always lead to medically-focused clinical work. If you are interested in conducting research, working in a regulatory capacity, or providing therapy to patients, you might be well-suited to a career in psychology. For prospective professionals passionate about medicine, psychiatry may align better with your interests.

Types of Patients and Issues Treated

Psychologists and psychiatrists often work with different types of patients depending on the complexity and scope of the condition.

Psychologists frequently work with patients navigating emotional, behavioral, and cognitive challenges, such as anxiety, stress, trauma, and interpersonal issues. They may specialize in certain age groups or populations, such as children, veterans, or individuals with developmental disorders.

Psychiatrists are typically involved in treating more complex mental health conditions that may require medication management. These include conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and dual diagnoses involving substance use. They may also consult on cases where mental health symptoms overlap with medical or neurological conditions.

Education Programs and Training for Both Professions

The first step to starting a career as a psychologist or psychiatrist is finding the right educational program. For that, consider Alliant International University. We offer a variety of doctoral programs suited to multiple career paths.

Some of our programs include:

• PhD in Clinical Psychology: A research-focused program offering clinical training and a strong foundation in research methods.
• PsyD in Clinical Psychology: A psychology program deeply rooted in clinical practice training and hands-on experiences for future clinicians.
• PhD in Couple and Family Therapy: A clinical program focused on the couple and family therapy specialty.
• Postdoctoral Master’s in Clinical Psychopharmacology: A program for experienced psychologists looking to expand their clinical toolbox to include medical treatment approaches.

Specialized programs like these provide the foundation future mental health experts need to excel in their careers—whether they pursue different psychology specializations, research, or a medical approach to mental health treatment.

Which Career Path is Right for You?

There is a career path for everyone interested in mental health: Psychiatrists provide medically centered treatment to patients, while psychologists provide behavioral-focused treatments or conduct original research in clinical psychology.

Ready to take the next step on your path to a mental health career? Request more information about the educational programs at Alliant International University to get started.

Sources:

1. “Clinical and Counseling Psychologists.” US Bureau of Labor Statistics. April 3, 2024. https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes193033.htm. Accessed June 30, 2025.
2. “Psychotheraopy.” National Alliance on Mental Illness. 2025. https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/treatments/psychotherapy/. Accessed June 30, 2025.
3. Fink, J., Schwartz, M. “States Granting Prescribing Authority to Psychologists.” Pharmacy Times. April 23, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/states-grant-prescribing-authority-to-psychologists. Accessed June 30, 2025.
4. “Psychiatrists.” US Bureau of Labor Statistics. April 2, 2024. https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes291223.htm. Accessed June 30, 2025.
5. “What Is the Difference Between Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Social Workers?” American Psychological Association. 2017. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/psychotherapy-professionals. Accessed June 30, 2025.
6. “PMHNP (Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner).” Cleveland Clinic. July 19, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/psychiatric-nurse-practitioner-pmhnp. Accessed June 30, 2025.
7. “About Pharmacology.” Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. December 10, 2021. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pharma/conditioninfo. Accessed June 30, 2025.
8. “PMHNP (Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner).” Cleveland Clinic. July 19, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/psychiatric-nurse-practitioner-pmhnp. Accessed June 30, 2025.

The content of this page is only for informational purposes and is not intended, expressly or by implication, as a guarantee of employment or salary, which vary based on many factors including but not limited to education, credentials, and experience. Alliant International University explicitly makes no representations or guarantees about the accuracy of the information provided by any prospective employer or any other website. Salary information available on the internet may not reflect the typical experience of Alliant graduates. Alliant does not guarantee that any graduate will be placed with a particular employer or in any specific employment position.