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what's the difference between counseling and a phyciatrist?
i know i need one or the other i just dont know the difference between the two-if- there is one. and if you know a free one that would help too.lol. thanx
14 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
A counselor can be a psychologist or a social worker. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (who went to medical school) and can prescribe medicine. If you just need to talk some things out, a counselor could probably be very helpful...but, if you are having crying spells or not functioning in your normal activities, see your regular doctor and have them refer you to a psychiatrist. Counselors can usually help you too in that case, and will usually have a psychiatrist who oversees them. If you don't have any money to spend, most states have a community menal health program that you can find in the phone book.
Source(s): I am a physician (and have 2 psychiatrists for parents) :) - LyndeeLv 41 decade ago
the main difference between counseling and a psychiatrist is that a regular counselor is either a psychologist or some other mental health worker and can not prescribe medications. A psychiatrist is a person whether female or male that can prescribe medications to you. Some psychiatrists may also want to ask you questions about how you are and so forth, but they generally let the counseling up to the counselors.
As far as getting this for free I don't know if you can. Some free clinics maybe, but usually you have to pay or have your insurances pay for these services.
Good luck to you and I hope I was some what helpful!
Source(s): Personal experience. - Anne TeakLv 61 decade ago
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor which means he can prescribe medications if needed. A counselor or therapist is usually a psychologist that will help you deal with whatever issues you have. Most of the time people see a counselor first to help diagnose the problem. The counselor will refer them to a psychiatrist if they think it is necessary.
Your best bet is to try your county mental health center. They may have free or at least reduced rates for services. If there is nothing available in that direction call some of the larger churches in your town - they often have counseling services.
I wish you the best!
- 1 decade ago
Counseling can be provided by several folks:
1. Licensed Social Worker
2. Psychologist
3. Psychiatrist
1. A licensed social worker is trained in counseling and has an advanced degree, at least an MA, in social work.
2. A psychologist is trained in counseling and has earned a PhD in psychology.
3. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, with an MD degree, and is allowed to prescribe medication as necessary.
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- Anonymous5 years ago
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counselling deals with what you can't change coaching helps you improve skills you already have. For example if Tiger Woods plays a bad round a counsellor can help him deal with the pain and anguish the lost pot has cost him but a coach can tune his game so he wins next time. I try to help people through relationship coaching but i agree it's hard not to become a counsellor also. Fortunately I'm a qualified counsellor and i prefer coaching but many coaches aren't trained in either. What I like about coaching is that I can work on the future and not dwell on the past
- essentiallysoloLv 71 decade ago
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor that has specialized in psychiatry.
A counsellor can have many different kinds of qualifications, from a degree in counselling to going thru analysis, but they are not doctors and cannot prescribe medications.
Counsellors and counselling facilities will often see people on a sliding scale payment basis, most psychiatrists will not.
Source(s): Registered Nurse - Anonymous1 decade ago
The term counseling is often used interchangeably with psychotherapy. It was originally adopted by Carl Rogers to distinguish his work from the more medically oriented psychotherapy but the difference has become blurred among lay people. Generally, counseling deals with ordinary every day problems and issues, while psychotherapy generally deals with deeper mental and emotional problems. Psychotherapy requires more intense training than counseling, and often tends to involve an longer commitment for the patient.
- .Lv 71 decade ago
A psychiatrist generally prescribes meds...a counselor is more a person you talk to about how you are feeling and why...
That's a VERY general differentiation...
- 1 decade ago
counselors and physcologists cannot prescribe medacines while a phyciatrist will. If you don't think you want to be on mind altering drugs (and chances are you don't) then stay away from phsyciatrists.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
A counselor is a person who advises and directs problems in ones life.
a physciatrist is a medical doctor who specialized in psychiatry and treats mental diseases such as bipolar probs etc. plus a phys prescribes medication.