Psychiatrists and psychologists both treat mental health conditions, but their training and the tools they use differ. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, holding an MD or DO degree, who completed four years of medical school followed by a four-year residency in psychiatry. Because they are physicians, psychiatrists can prescribe medication, order laboratory tests and imaging, assess how medical illnesses contribute to psychiatric symptoms, and oversee treatments such as TMS and Spravato. Many also provide psychotherapy, though in practice most psychiatric appointments focus on diagnosis and medication management.
A psychologist typically holds a doctoral degree, a PhD or PsyD, in clinical or counseling psychology, earned through graduate study, supervised clinical hours and an internship. Psychologists specialize in psychotherapy, including CBT, DBT and exposure-based treatments, and in psychological testing, such as formal assessments for ADHD, learning disorders or cognitive decline. In most states, including Florida and South Carolina, psychologists do not prescribe medication. The two professions work together often. A psychologist may refer you to a psychiatrist when medication seems warranted, and a psychiatrist may refer you to a psychologist for structured therapy or testing. Stedfast Psychiatry is a medical practice staffed by psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and we coordinate with psychologists and therapists in the community when combined care is the right plan.
Where this applies at Stedfast
- Psychiatric Evaluation and Diagnosis
- Psychiatric Medication Management
- Individual Psychotherapy and Counseling
- Our providers