Do I Need A Psychotherapist, Psychologist, or Psychiatrist?
August 11, 2022
6 min read
Learn what different mental health professional can and can’t do.
Written by Simon Spichak
Looking for the right mental health professional is confusing and intimidating. Professionals with similar-sounding titles can leave you browsing the internet in search of a concrete answer. So what’s the real difference between mental health professionals and how do you choose the best one for you?
There are thousands of mental health professionals across all of Canada. While they all help people with their mental health, their roles and responsibilities differ. Most professionals for example, can’t prescribe medication or provide a formal diagnosis for mental health issues.
Learning the differences about their training, background, and responsibilities ensure that you can make the best choice for yourself or your child. These decisions are very personal, there’s no specific recipe for mental health or a sequential path for you to follow on your journey. We’ll also discuss the qualifications of professionals that are affiliated with Resolvve.
Psychotherapist
Why people go: Whether you’re looking to delve inward and learn more about yourself, or need help managing anxiety or depression, a psychotherapist may be the right mental health professional for you. People across a spectrum of mental health — including but not limited to those with a diagnosis (OCD, ADHD, anxiety) — set appointments and visit these professionals regularly.
Background and training: There are many different ways to train for psychotherapy as these professionals offer a wide range of services. Some psychotherapists offer art, music or drama therapy while others offer dialectic behavioral therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. At Resolvve, our therapists are also experienced with career counselling and academic coaching.
Certification: A governing body sets out guidelines for who can and can’t call themselves a psychotherapist in Ontario, and Quebec. In Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick, professionals are registered as Counselling Therapists.
Cost: Out of these three professions, psychotherapists are often the most affordable. Resolvve’s practitioners are priced at $100 (tax-inclusive) and this is usually covered by the health insurance provided for students across many university and colleges in Canada.
Diagnosis and treatment: A psychotherapist cannot make a formal diagnosis or prescribe medication.
Psychologist
Why people go: Psychologists study how we feel, think and behave, then use science-based methods to help people understand and change their behaviours. Many psychologists also split their time between the clinic and research at a university or hospital.
Background and training: It takes 6 to ten years to become a practicing psychologist, with the process requiring a master’s or doctoral degree. These degrees are typically in clinical psychology, counselling psychology or other clinical subtopics.
Certification: While psychologists have a general license, they also declare and practice within one specialty area. For example, someone trained as a child psychologist will focus on practicing with children. These professionals are regulated by a specific psychological body within the province where they have their practice.
Cost: Due to their specialty academic training, psychologists may charge more than $200 per hour.
Diagnosis and treatment: A licensed psychologist may be able to provide a mental health diagnosis but cannot prescribe medication.
Psychiatrist
Why people go: People generally require a referral to see a psychiatrist. That means that you would first talk with another professional or your family doctor about your mental health challenges. They can recommend and direct you to a specialist, the psychiatrist, which will help you attain a diagnosis and manage your mental health.
Background and training: Psychiatry is a medical specialty, meaning that all of these professionals have received extensive training through medical school. This equips them with specialist knowledge about different mental health conditions and diagnoses. Some psychiatrists are also active researchers or professors, working to advance knowledge in the field.
Certification: Psychiatrists have the standard medical degree in addition to several years of specialty training within a psychiatric setting.
Cost: In Canada, psychiatrists are covered by provincial health insurance. Normally, there are also high wait times associated with these professionals but Resolvve can help speed up the process through a partnership with Psychotherapy Matters.
Diagnosis and treatment: A psychiatrist can diagnose mental health conditions as well as prescribe different medications. They help people troubleshoot and find the right treatment and also help people come off of their medication once they’re feeling better.
Summary
Psychotherapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists are all able to provide mental health counselling. Here are the key differences:
Education: Psychotherapists complete specific training relevant to therapy. Psychologists complete a master’s or doctoral degree. Psychiatrists are a specific medical specialty, meaning they have a medical degree.
Certification: Psychotherapy is only a regulated professional in a few provinces including Ontario and Quebec. Psychologists are certified through the official psychological society within their province. Psychiatrists are certified through a medical institution.
Diagnosis and treatment: Only psychologists and psychiatrists can make a diagnosis. Only psychiatrists can prescribe treatments for mental health conditions.
Please note that this post is written for educational purposes, it is not therapy. If you need to talk to a professional please book a consultation with a psychotherapist through Resolvve.
