I've heard people using these three terms interchangeably. Read further to understand the clear differences between the three.
- Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specialized in psychiatry. Psychiatry studies the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, emotional disturbance, and abnormal behaviour. A psychiatrist will also prescribe and monitor medication for the treatment and regulation of symptoms.
- Psychologist: Psychologists are not trained medically, but have a degree in psychology. However, they are not licensed to prescribe medication. They specialize in several different fields like sports, forensics, organizational etc. A clinical psychologist can offer psychological assessments and cognitive behavioural psychotherapy.
- Counsellor/ Psychotherapist: Both these terms are usually used interchangeably. Counselling tends to be more issue-specific and short-term, whereas psychotherapy is more in-depth and open-ended, and focuses more on the individual rather than specific issues.
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