March 18th, 2025
When I first started exploring the idea of working in the mental health field, I quickly realized how overwhelming it can be to understand the different types of mental health providers. Scrolling through provider profiles online, I noticed a sea of smiling faces, each accompanied by a string of letters after their names—sometimes just a few letters, other times what seemed like an entire alphabet of letters. I knew these titles and credentials meant something, but I couldn’t quite figure out how they distinguished one provider from another.
There were counselors, social workers, therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and more. It felt like a puzzle I didn’t have the pieces to solve. As I gained more education and experience, the distinctions became clearer, but I also recognized how confusing this can be for someone simply looking for mental health care. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to navigate the world of mental health care, you’re not alone.
To make things easier, I’ve broken down a few of the different types of mental health providers, highlighting both their unique roles and the ways they overlap. Whether you’re seeking therapy, medication management, or specialized support, understanding these differences can help you find the right professional for your needs. Psychiatrist vs therapist, let’s dive in and see how these two differ from one another!
For more comparisons between mental health care providers check out these blogs:
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in mental health, including the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Because they are physicians, psychiatrists are uniquely qualified to understand the complex relationship between mental and physical health. They can prescribe medication, provide psychotherapy, and offer treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
Psychiatrists often work with individuals who have severe or complex mental health conditions, such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or anxiety disorders.
They may also collaborate with other mental health professionals, such as therapists or psychologists, to create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to the patient’s needs. If you’re considering medication as part of your mental health care, a psychiatrist is the professional to consult.
A therapist is a broad term used to describe a licensed mental health professional who provides talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy. Therapists can come from various educational backgrounds, including psychology, social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy. Common titles you might see include Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT).
Therapists help individuals, couples, families, or groups address emotional, psychological, and relational challenges. They use evidence-based techniques to support clients in managing stress, improving communication, overcoming trauma, and developing healthier coping mechanisms.
Unlike psychiatrists, therapists cannot prescribe medication, but they often work alongside psychiatrists or other medical professionals to provide holistic care.
Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or simply seeking personal growth, a therapist can provide a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore your thoughts and feelings. Their goal is to empower you to make meaningful changes and improve your overall well-being.
When it comes to prescribing medication for mental health, psychiatrists are the most well-known professionals for this role. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in mental health, allowing them to diagnose, treat, and manage mental health conditions using medication, therapy, and other interventions.
In the past, psychiatrists often provided both therapy and medication management for their patients. However, in modern practice, many psychiatrists primarily focus on medication management, partnering with therapists or counselors to address their patients’ therapeutic needs.
While psychiatrists are the traditional prescribers, they are not the only ones who can prescribe mental health medication. Other licensed medical professionals, such as Licensed Physician Assistants (PAs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs), are also authorized to prescribe medication. These providers often work under the supervision of or in collaboration with psychiatrists, ensuring comprehensive care for patients.
To become a psychiatrist, one must complete extensive training, including medical school, a psychiatric residency, and optionally, a fellowship to specialize further in areas like child and adolescent psychiatry.
This rigorous education equips psychiatrists with the expertise to diagnose mental health conditions and develop personalized treatment plans that may include medication, therapy, or a combination of both.
Whether you’re seeking medication management or exploring treatment options, understanding the roles of these providers can help you make informed decisions about your mental health care.
While medication management is a valuable part of mental health care for many, some individuals prefer to focus solely on talk therapy as a way to address their emotional and psychological needs. If you’re considering talk therapy, you might feel overwhelmed by the variety of professionals available—each with different titles, licenses, and areas of expertise.
The good news is that many licensed mental health professionals are trained to provide talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy. Though their specific backgrounds and approaches may vary, they all share the skills and training necessary to offer effective therapeutic care.
Below, I’ll outline some of the most common types of licensed professionals who can provide talk therapy, helping you better understand your options and find the right fit for your needs.
People who are counselors have a graduate degree in counseling and have either a partial license as an LPC or a full license of LCPC. Full licensure is awarded to counselors who have completed about two years of work after graduating from a graduate-level counseling program. Counseling programs often focus directly on training students to work in a clinical mental health role.
People whose professional title is psychologist have a doctoral degree in psychology. Most client-facing psychologists have a PsyD which is a doctor of psychology. Psychologists can also hold a Ph.D. in psychology, but those with a Ph.D. often focus more on research than client-facing work.
Psychologists can provide therapy, but due to having a doctoral degree, they are also able to conduct psychological testing. Psychological testing is utilized to diagnose and understand underlying mental health concerns that are not always clearly identified in a typical mental health assessment.
People who are social workers typically have a master's of social work and have either a partial license as an LSW or a full license as an LCSW. Full licensure is awarded to social workers who have completed roughly two years of clinical work after graduating from a social work program.
Social work differs from other mental health professions due to an emphasis on understanding a person as they exist in their environment. Social workers are trained to specifically identify and focus on how environmental and community factors influence mental health.
People who are marriage and family therapists (MFTs) have completed a graduate program in marriage and family therapy. A partially licensed MFT has an AMFT and a fully licensed provider has an LMFT.
Though MFTs are specifically trained in the provision of family and couples therapy, they are also able to provide individual sessions. An MFT may be an appropriate fit for your therapy if relational challenges are an area of focus for your therapy.
Something to keep in mind when choosing a therapist or other mental health provider is that each provider has its orientation. When being trained, clinicians learn about different techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, trauma-informed therapy, etc. A clinician’s theoretical orientation will shape how they engage in sessions with you.
For example, if you do not think that you want to do therapeutic assignments between sessions, a CBT or DBT therapist would likely be a poor fit because those orientations rely upon therapeutic assignments. When searching for a therapist, it is important to research and identify what may be an appropriate fit for your personal needs.
Additionally, when working with any provider whether they are a therapist or psychiatrist, it is valid to name what you think may be helpful in the treatment and what may be less so.
Making an appointment to support your mental health is a huge and sometimes scary step. Having a clear understanding of who you are seeing is a helpful way to build confidence going into your first session.
Finding the right mental health support can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Clarity Clinic, we’re here to make it easier for you to access the care you deserve. Whether you’re searching for therapy near you, considering the convenience of online therapy, or in need of a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, our team of skilled psychiatrists and therapists is ready to help.
Located throughout Chicago, Clarity Clinic offers a wide range of mental health services tailored to meet your needs. From individual therapy and medication management to specialized treatment programs (PHP & IOP Program) , we provide compassionate, evidence-based care in a supportive environment.
Our team includes some of the best psychiatrists in Chicago and therapists in Chicago, all dedicated to helping you achieve lasting mental wellness.
If you’re looking for a trusted mental health clinic near you, Clarity Clinic is here to guide you every step of the way. Take the first step toward a healthier, more balanced life—contact us today to schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist near you or mental health therapist near you!
If you have any questions about the mental health services we offer, feel free to give us a call as well. Your mental health matters, and we’re here to help you thrive.
Book a Consultation!When to see a psychiatrist vs therapist?
See a psychiatrist if you suspect you have a mental health condition that may require medication (e.g., depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or ADHD). Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can diagnose mental health disorders and prescribe medications.
See a therapist if you're dealing with emotional, behavioral, or relational issues and want to work through them with talk therapy. Therapists (e.g., psychologists, licensed counselors, or social workers) help you develop coping strategies, process emotions, and improve mental well-being through therapy.
Is it better to see a psychiatrist or a therapist?
It depends on your needs! If you need a medical diagnosis or medication, then seeing a psychiatrist is better. If you need emotional support or coping strategies, then seeing a therapist is better. Many people can actually benefit from seeing both a therapist and a psychiatrist to get well rounded mental health treatment.
Can I use my psychiatrist as a therapist?
While some psychiatrists may offer therapy, it is rare. Psychiatrists are medical doctors that focus on diagnosing as well as medication management. If you need talk therapy, it is best to go see a therapist. Psychiatrists and therapists play complementary roles, and the best approach often involves collaboration between the two.
What can a psychiatrist do that a therapist cannot?
A psychiatrist can prescribe medication, provide medical diagnoses, and hold medical evaluations/psychiatric evaluations. On the other hand, therapists focus on talk therapy and emotional support but cannot diagnose or prescribe medication.
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