What is the difference between a Psychologist, Psychotherapist and Psychiatrist?
Psychologists are trained in human behavior, their motives and actions. Anyone possessing a degree in psychology is termed as a psychologist but the ones who can offer therapy are Clinical psychologists or Counseling psychologists. They are trained to assess individuals through psychological tests as well as are trained in all forms of therapy. Psychiatrists are medically trained doctors. They specialize in diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Only they are qualified to prescribe medicines. Psychotherapists’ are usually trained in one form of therapy only. They use this talk therapy to assist the counselee. For e.g.: in this centre we use Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
A psychologist is trained in assessing and treating problems in thinking, feeling, and behaviour. They use a variety of techniques and psychotherapies to help people overcome these problems. A psychologist is uniquely trained to use psychological tests to help with assessment and diagnosis. The title psychologist is a protected title, meaning one must meet stringent criteria as well as continue to be governed by a regulatory body, namely the Ordre des Psychologues du Quebec. A psychotherapist is someone who provides psychotherapy services. In Quebec, this title is not protected, meaning they are not governed by a regulatory body and do not have any established criteria for practicing. It is best to check whether a psychotherapist has received training and belongs to a professional order. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental disorders. They often use medication to help those with mental illness. They can also use psychotherapy in their practice. In Quebec, the pr
