Why Choose a Psychiatrist?
What are the differences between psychiatrists and other types of professionals who provide mental health care? Only the psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can order medical tests and prescribe medication. It takes many years of education and training to become a psychiatrist. After graduating from medical school he or she needs to complete four years of residency training in the field of psychiatry. Other professionals who care for people with mental illness or provide mental health services undergo different types of training whose length and core emphases differ according to the field of study. Here is a brief summary: Psychologist: Most clinical psychologists have a master’s or doctoral degree; on the doctoral level, the degree is usually a Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy) or Psy.D. (doctor of psychology, which is not a medical doctor). A psychologist applies psychological principles to the treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders and developmental disabilities throug
