Psychiatry vs. Psychotherapy: Understanding the Differences

While looking for mental health providers, you may have come across both psychiatrists and psychotherapists. Does it matter which one you see? What are the differences between them? 

Psychiatry and psychotherapy have some things in common — but they also have key differences. Below, we’ll explore both of these in more detail, including how they differ and when to see a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist. 

What is psychiatry? 

Psychiatry is a branch of the medical field that includes diagnosing, treating, and preventing psychological disorders. That includes behavioral, emotional, and mental health disorders. 

Psychiatrists must have a medical degree, such as a doctorate of medicine. They can diagnose disorders, prescribe medication, and offer other medical-based treatments. They also evaluate the physical and mental aspects of psychological disorders and conditions.  

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a treatment approach for managing or addressing mental health or behavioral concerns, relationship struggles, and other issues that affect mental and emotional well-being. It’s also known as talk therapy, since it involves talking with a mental health provider to work through issues or find new ways to manage symptoms. 

There are several different types of psychotherapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Each type uses a different approach or focus for treating mental health concerns. 

Key differences between psychiatry and psychotherapy

Psychiatry and psychotherapy can both help individuals with mental health concerns — but they involve different approaches and methods. In the following sections, we’ll go over the main differences between psychiatry and psychotherapy. 

Focus of treatment 

As a medical specialty, psychiatry mainly focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. Psychiatrists are licensed medical doctors who can both provide therapy, and also prescribe and monitor medications that help with certain mental health conditions  or deep brain stimulation. These kinds of treatments have biological effects, such as changing chemical signals in the brain to help ease symptoms.  Psychiatric nurse practitioners can assess, diagnose, and provide therapy for mental health conditions as well. They can prescribe and provide medication management in certain states. 

Psychotherapy uses talk therapy to address behavioral and/or emotional aspects of mental health concerns. Examples include CBT, psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and group therapy. These treatment approaches typically involve focusing on emotions, behaviors, and thought patterns — rather than trying to alter brain chemicals. 

Provider qualification

One of the biggest differences between psychiatrists and psychotherapists is their qualifications. These mental health professionals have different educational and training requirements. 

Psychiatrists are medical doctors. In order to practice psychiatry, they need to earn a doctoral degree from a medical school and credentials as either a doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO). Their credentials allow them to prescribe medication and make medical diagnoses. 

Psychotherapists, such as behavioral therapists and professional counselors, receive specialized training and typically hold a master’s degree in psychology, social work, or counseling. They can evaluate and diagnose mental health disorders, but since they’re not medical doctors, they can’t prescribe medication.

Treatment methods 

Medication is a common type of treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health conditions. For example, a psychiatrist might prescribe an antidepressant for someone diagnosed with depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), based on their evaluation. Medications usually alter brain chemicals, easing symptoms of mental health disorders. 

Psychotherapy, on the other hand, uses a range of therapeutic techniques to help people process trauma, address specific issues, or manage symptoms. 

So a therapist might use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help an individual with anxiety identify and change maladaptive thought patterns that trigger their symptoms. Or a marriage counselor might help a couple work through infidelity or communication challenges.

Duration and approach 

Psychiatry may involve shorter, less frequent sessions where the psychiatrist focuses on medication management and refining the treatment plan. Some psychiatry sessions may be longer if they also include talk therapy, but psychiatrists sometimes  refer patients to therapists for this portion of treatment. 

Psychotherapy sessions tend to last longer and occur more frequently than psychiatry sessions. You might meet with a therapist every week for an hour or so. Psychotherapy sessions are also more in-depth, giving you the chance to explore past experiences, current struggles, or other aspects of mental health concerns.

Conditions treated 

Psychiatry and psychotherapy can both be useful for a wide range of mental health concerns and disorders. However, psychiatry is typically used for treating or managing more severe mental health disorders, such as psychosis, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. 

It may also help treat disorders that aren’t responding well to psychotherapy alone, such as depression, anxiety disorders, or eating disorders. 

Psychotherapy commonly addresses emotional and/or behavioral issues. For example, someone struggling with relationship problems or low self-esteem might find it helpful to work through these challenges with talk therapy. 

Psychotherapy may also be helpful for those struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, or other mental health concerns that may not require medication. 

Integrated treatment 

Despite their differences, you can use psychiatry and psychotherapy together as part of a holistic treatment approach. This might involve combining medication with talk therapy for more comprehensive care. 

For example, an individual diagnosed with ADHD might need medication to help manage their symptoms, along with psychotherapy to learn new management techniques.

In some cases, medication alone — or talk therapy alone — might not be enough to help manage symptoms and improve mental well-being. An integrated treatment approach with psychiatry and psychotherapy mental health services may be needed.  

Do psychiatry providers also provide psychotherapy?

Along with prescribing and monitoring medication, psychiatry providers often provide brief psychotherapy during psychiatric appointments. Typically, this is supportive psychotherapy or problem-solving therapy.  

It’s common for a psychiatry provider to recommend additional standard psychotherapy (one hour per week with a separate therapist) in order to more fully treat a person’s symptoms. 

Some psychiatry providers may offer other psychiatric treatments in addition to medication management and brief psychotherapy. Talk to your therapist or mental healthcare professional to learn more about psychiatric treatments. 

When to see a psychiatrist 

When should someone struggling with mental health concerns meet with a psychiatrist? This kind of care is most appropriate when dealing with severe mental health disorders that usually require medication, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or major depression. 

Psychotherapy on its own might not provide the right approach for managing severe mental health disorders or concerns. But a psychiatrist can prescribe medication or provide other medical care that might be more effective. 

For example, someone who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder might need to take mood-stabilizing medication to manage their symptoms.

When to see a psychotherapist 

Everyone deals with stress and occasional struggles in life. But sometimes, these issues can take a toll on emotional and mental wellness. Seeing a therapist for emotional, behavioral, or relationship issues may be helpful if they’re affecting your life in negative ways. 

For example, if frequent arguments with your spouse are affecting your relationship, a marriage and family therapist may help you work through this problem. If you’re struggling at work due to self-esteem or communication issues, talk therapy may help with personal development. 

Meeting with therapists or mental health counselors may also help you learn to manage stress effectively or cope with anxiety. You can apply what you learn during your psychotherapy sessions in your day-to-day life and interactions with others. 

Whether you need a psychiatry provider or therapist, SonderMind connects you with the right provider 

Talk therapy can be incredibly helpful for addressing issues that affect mental well-being. But in some cases, people might need a bit more help and support — and that’s where psychiatrists come in. They can confirm or add to the therapist’s diagnosis, prescribe medication if necessary, and recommend other medical approaches to treatment. 

A therapist can provide a referral for psychiatric care if needed, and these two providers often work together on a treatment plan for ongoing support. 

Not sure if you would benefit from talk therapy or psychiatry — or a combination of both? At SonderMind, we’ll learn your needs and connect you with the right mental health professional.