Clarity 101: What is the difference between a Psychiatrist & a Psychologist?

The simplest way to describe the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist when it comes to treating depression is that one is a medical doctor, while the other is not.

A psychologist primarily aids the depressed patient through counseling and psychotherapy. He may hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) and be called "doctor," but is not a medical doctor (M.D.).

A psychiatrist, on the other hand, is a medical doctor, and while he may also perform psychotherapy, he can additionally prescribe medications and perform medical procedures such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

There is an exception to the above, however. Two states -- Louisiana and New Mexico -- do allow appropriately trained clinical psychologists to prescribe medication with certain limitations.

Jake said it! A psychiatrist goes to medical school and follows the medical model while a psychologist follows the scientist practitioner model. The medical model is more authoritative, they are more likely to say "patients" while a psychologist is more likely to say "clients"