What is the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, and a social worker?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (at least 6 years of schooling after the BA) who specializes in working with mentally ill individuals and is licensed to prescribe and monitor medications. A psychologist usually has a Doctorate (PhD/PsyD) in Psychology (5+ years of schooling after the BA) and is able to independently practice in clinical settings by conducting therapy and/or psychological testing for intellectual and/or academic concerns. Many psychologists have master s degrees (MA/MS) and obtain certification in their area of expertise (e.g., behavior analysis, school psychology, counseling). Some psychologists are trained clinically to counsel individuals and families. A social worker is trained at either the BSW level (4 years of college) or the MSW level (2 years of schooling after college) to work with individuals, groups and families, in crisis intervention, case management, advocacy, and/or counseling.
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