Psychiatrist vs Therapist

A major difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist comes down to their scope of responsibilities. A psychiatrist, for example, is a medical doctor who can diagnose and prescribe medication to treat mental health disorders.

A therapist is a licensed counselor or psychologist who can use talk therapy to help treat mental health symptoms and improve how someone is able to manage stress and relationships.

Both professions work with individuals to improve mental health symptoms. They also both talk with patients, uncover what is wrong and help patients improve their thoughts and behaviors to live happier, healthier, and more productive lives. A major difference comes down to how they were trained and how they approach treatment.

A psychologist has a master's or doctoral degree and uses various psychotherapy methods to improve patients' symptoms. A psychiatrist has a medical degree and can utilize many treatment options, including medications, to treat mental health conditions.

Consistent with this, a psychiatrist's salary is much higher than a therapist's, whose salary varies significantly depending on their training and area of expertise.

Psychiatry requires more schooling, such as a medical degree, compared to a psychologist, which at minimum requires just a master's degree. Psychiatry also pays much higher, with a median of $208,000 a year compared to a psychologist's median salary of $80.370 a year.