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What is the Difference Between a Therapist and a Psychologist?

If you’re seeking help for your mental health, you may wonder “Do I need a therapist or a psychologist? What’s the difference?” While people interchange these similar terms, they aren’t the same. Both strive to improve people’s lives but the path to becoming each is separate, and they’re qualified to help in different ways. Here are the key differences that you need to know.

What is a therapist?

A therapist is an overarching term that can refer to psychologists, psychiatrists, marriage counselors, life coaches, and social workers. Because they can vary so widely in their application, therapists may have several different degrees in a variety of disciplines, including a master’s degree, Ph.D., MD or certificate in fields like psychiatry, family counseling, clinical psychology, substance abuse or social work. The therapist’s role is to help patients make decisions and clarify their feelings about events. Through one-on-one, couples or group therapy sessions, they help to provide support and guidance.

What is a psychologist?

On the other hand, a psychologist likely has a doctoral degree in an area of psychology and may do either research or therapy. Their role is to diagnose disorders or problems in their patients. They can determine appropriate treatments based on clinical diagnoses and observations. They often work with psychiatrists to help patients as well. Like therapists, they work with patients to make decisions and clarify feelings about events as well as provide support and guidance.

Do I need a therapist or a psychologist?

Now that you know the difference between the two, you may need to decide which professional is the right one for you to see. When looking for a psychologist or a therapist, most people wonder how to find the right fit for them. Although both of these individuals deal with the same topics, the primary difference is the amount of practice that each has had after receiving a master’s degree. Therapists often do not conduct research and focus on treating behaviors using cognitive-behavioral strategies. Psychologists also tend to work more closely with psychiatrists. Furthermore, while a psychologist or psychiatrist could be a therapist, a person could be a therapist without the qualifications to be either of those mental health professionals. 

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that neither a therapist nor a psychologist is able to prescribe medications. While therapists and psychologists work to provide support and guidance, psychiatrists focus on treating mental illness as a medical issue. Therefore, if you’re interested in medication as a potential treatment option, it’s worth considering this when selecting which type of professional to see.

Final thoughts

Regardless of your specific situation, thinking about your mental health on a daily basis can be an incredibly healthy step. Whether you see a therapist long-term or a psychologist to address a specific issue, what matters is that you’re taking care of your health and well-being. 

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