Let’s break down both. I often hear people ask what the difference is between therapy and psychiatry and while there are some similarities and overlap, there are many differences.
Therapy – Being able to meet individually or in a group setting with a provider who can treat and diagnose mental health illnesses. In Greek, the word therapy translates to healing.
Psychiatry– Being able to meet with a provider who can treat, diagnose, and prescribe medication for the treatment of mental illness.
Similarities: Both can focus on mental health and substance misuse. Can be 1:1 care.
Differences: Therapists can diagnose mental health conditions but cannot prescribe medication. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication. Usually, 1:1 care with psychiatry but therapy can be individual or group work.
Some people might need both therapy and psychiatric services and that’s okay! This combination can support healthy habits and emotional/mental health support for people. Some people benefit from therapy visits and don’t want or need psychiatry. Some people seek out psychiatry for medication and while this can be completed on its own, usually, people are encouraged to seek therapy if seeking psychiatric services.
If you are unsure if you want/need psychiatric services, talk with your doctor or therapist and have them help explain your options to you. Remember, a therapist cannot prescribe medication or recommend vitamins or supplements to you, but they can recommend/encourage you to seek psychiatric support. Some doctors (not all) are comfortable with prescribing mental health medication and if you have a doctor you feel comfortable with, begin that conversation. However, I usually remind people that doctors have a general scope of medicine (unless they are a specialist) whereas a psychiatrist or nurse practitioner or psychiatric nurse practitioner went to school and focused just on this aspect. I say this as a reminder that not all doctors will feel comfortable prescribing mental health medication or certain types of medication.
Therapy is great for 1 on 1 to talk, seek support, build a plan to reach your goals, vent, build healthy coping skills, and so many more facets. Psychiatry is great for medication management of symptoms and support. Hopefully, this helped to give a brief breakdown of the differences between the two.
Alexandria Henson, MA, LCPC NCC