Do I need to see a psychiatrist or a psychologist?

By Brittany Albright MD, MPH

How do I know if I should see a psychologist or a psychiatrist? This is a question we get asked a lot here at Sweetgrass Psychiatry! We will start by defining each specialty:

Psychiatrists are medical doctors/physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. They can prescribe medications, perform medical tests, and provide psychotherapy. After completing undergraduate school, they do 4 years of medical school, 4 years of psychiatry residency, and many complete specialized fellowship training.

Paige Walton MD is one of Sweetgrass Psychiatry’s child psychiatry experts with 14+ years of education

Psychologists, on the other hand, are not medical doctors but have a doctoral degree in psychology. They specialize in the assessment and treatment of mental health issues through therapy, counseling, and other non-medical interventions. After 4 years of undergraduate schooling, they complete approximately 3 years of graduate training and often participate in research and teaching.

It is confusing! Both are doctors and both can provide therapy but only psychiatrists (in the state of South Carolina) are medical physicians and can prescribe medications.

To make matters more confusing, both nurse practitioners who completed psychiatry specialized training and board certified physician assistants can function in a role similar to a psychiatrist given their medical training and ability to prescribe medications. Not all physician assistants and nurse practitioners are trained to perform psychotherapy but many are. At Sweetgrass Psychiatry, we only select the most top quality nurse practitioners and physician assistants supervised by our psychiatrists to provide care to our patients.

If you are experiencing symptoms of mental illness, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, addictions, substance use disorders, phobias, or anxiety, you may consider seeing a psychiatrist who can evaluate whether medication may be appropriate for your condition. Often, medications + psychotherapy produce the best treatment outcomes for mental health problems. If your symptoms are mild and you prefer talk therapy or counseling, you may consider seeing a psychologist only.

In general, the decision to see a psychiatrist or psychologist depends on your individual needs and preferences, as well as the specific mental health issues you are experiencing. It may be helpful to discuss your options with a primary care physician or mental health professional who can provide more personalized advice.

Please call Sweetgrass Psychiatry today at (843) 800-1303 to visit us in our Mount Pleasant, SC or Isle of Palms, SC location or virtually to assess what kind of mental health treatment is best for your unique, individual needs.