What is the difference between a shrink, psychiatrist, psychologist and psychotherapist?
“Shrink” is a slang word and usually refers to either a psychologist or psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is an individual who has graduated from medical school, with a specialty in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are presently the only mental health professionals able to prescribe medication (as they are doctors/physicians). A licensed psychologist has obtained a doctoral degree and has passed an exam allowing licensure. Psychologists also provide testing (such as for school problems, ADD/ADHD, etc.). Psychotherapists (LMFT, LPC, LMSW/ACP) have a minimum of a master’s degree and have passed board exams pertaining to their particular specialty. They may also have doctoral degrees (listed as Ph.D or Ed.D). They are usually considered ‘talk therapists’ and many also provide other types of therapy. Even though fees vary widely between the different groups (many times based upon years of experience, location, etc.), usually the psychotherapist is least expensive, then the psychologist, then the psych
