Do psychiatrists still do therapy or just prescribe medicine?
Yes – psychiatrists are trained as medical doctors and then complete a specialty residency training which includes obtaining skills in different types of psychotherapies. Clinical experience is also an important factor. There are different forms of individual therapy; there are also group and couples therapies. A psychiatrist can combine therapy with medication management, if drugs are indicated, or only focus on the medication component. Psychiatrists frequently work in collaboration with other therapists. There are also times when a patient does not wish to participate in formal therapy. Regardless of the arrangement, it is a goal to understand the whole person and establish a relationship of trust and communication.
