Psychiatry versus Psychology
Often, when asked the difference, people will confuse the Psychiatry and Psychology professions. Even more often people will go so far as to say they are interchangeable. While these two professions can overlap and do have many similarities, they are not the same. In this paper I will focus on three main points of comparison between both practices. These points will be Education and Licensure requirements, Objective of Practitioners, and Focus of their fields.
According to the American Psychological Association website Psychology is defined as "... a diverse discipline, grounded in science, […] nearly boundless applications in everyday life. Some psychologists do basic research, developing theories and testing them through carefully honed research methods involving observation, experimentation and analysis. Other psychologists apply the discipline 's scientific knowledge to help people, organizations and communities function better. " (apa.org, June 2016) While the Psychologist Clinician can require as little as a Bachelor 's degree in Psychology, it is more common for Psychologists to obtain a PhD or PsyD (Doctorate of Psychology) and State License to practice Psychology in an office setting. The undergraduate degree route usually requires oversight by a licensed PhD in a clinical or corporate office. The American Psychological Association website states... "Graduates with a master’s degree in psychology may qualify for positions in school [...] psychology, although in most states they will be prohibited from using “psychologist” as their job or professional title. By APA policy and licensing laws, the term psychologist is reserved for individuals with doctoral education and training. […] Persons with master’s degrees often work under the direction of a doctoral psychologist, especially in clinical, counseling, school and testing and measurement psychology." (www.apa.org, 2011) The formal title of Psychiatrist requires a medical degree [MD] with residency and appropriate licensure. …show more content…
While attending medical school these medical doctors are trained in pharmacological studies, including the types, uses, and proper dosage for patients. These students study the body including the organs, bones, blood, lymphatic and neurological structures and functions. They are trained in numerous diseases and how injuries or abnormalities affect the whole system, including the mental and emotional states. Students are required to attend college, then medical school with a standard curriculum, and obtain a medical degree (MD) with a full year in medical internship. These students must train in no less than six specialties before deciding on their practice. Then the practitioner must have three additional years of oversight under another physician in the Psychiatry field before they can work with and treat patients on their own. (Rehagen, T. 2016) Licensing requirements can vary by state, country or employer for psychologists, depending on which aspect of psychology you are looking to specialize in. …show more content…
Different states and institutions will have different requirements. Although, it is advised that you thoroughly research the accreditation requirements for the specialty you wish to focus on, or career plans you aspire to. Psychiatry requirements are generally the same nation wide, as these doctors are well regulated on a national scale. The overall objectives for these careers do overlap in some areas. Although, the approach can vary by many points. The Clinical Psychologist will typically focus on the patterns of psychological behavior and utilize non-medicinal solutions for patient care. These treatments often range from spiritual guidance and meditative practices to recommendations for physical exercise and record keeping to find the cause or trigger for behaviors or emotions. The Psychologist will often try to find the root cause of behaviors or feelings and teach the patient how to retrain their mind towards more beneficial outcomes. The psychologist will often work in conjunction with a psychiatrist to not only refer patients with suspected morbidities, but to assist the psychiatrist in treating patients on medication for various disorders. Recently in some select areas, psychologists have been allowed special courses in psychopharmacology and gain an endorsement on their license of practice to prescribe a limited selection of medications. Although, this is still uncommon. Career options vary widely and intermesh with numerous professions and institutions. Clinical psychology is the treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. This can range from acute depression to extreme schizophrenia. Cognitive and perceptual psychologists study human perception of reality, use of language and reasoning. Educational
Often, when asked the difference, people will confuse the Psychiatry and Psychology professions. Even more often people will go so far as to say they are interchangeable. While these two professions can overlap and do have many similarities, they are not the same. In this paper I will focus on three main points of comparison between both practices. These points will be Education and Licensure requirements, Objective of Practitioners, and Focus of their fields.
According to the American Psychological Association website Psychology is defined as "... a diverse discipline, grounded in science, […] nearly boundless applications in everyday life. Some psychologists do basic research, developing theories and testing them through carefully honed research methods involving observation, experimentation and analysis. Other psychologists apply the discipline 's scientific knowledge to help people, organizations and communities function better. " (apa.org, June 2016) While the Psychologist Clinician can require as little as a Bachelor 's degree in Psychology, it is more common for Psychologists to obtain a PhD or PsyD (Doctorate of Psychology) and State License to practice Psychology in an office setting. The undergraduate degree route usually requires oversight by a licensed PhD in a clinical or corporate office. The American Psychological Association website states... "Graduates with a master’s degree in psychology may qualify for positions in school [...] psychology, although in most states they will be prohibited from using “psychologist” as their job or professional title. By APA policy and licensing laws, the term psychologist is reserved for individuals with doctoral education and training. […] Persons with master’s degrees often work under the direction of a doctoral psychologist, especially in clinical, counseling, school and testing and measurement psychology." (www.apa.org, 2011) The formal title of Psychiatrist requires a medical degree [MD] with residency and appropriate licensure. …show more content…
While attending medical school these medical doctors are trained in pharmacological studies, including the types, uses, and proper dosage for patients. These students study the body including the organs, bones, blood, lymphatic and neurological structures and functions. They are trained in numerous diseases and how injuries or abnormalities affect the whole system, including the mental and emotional states. Students are required to attend college, then medical school with a standard curriculum, and obtain a medical degree (MD) with a full year in medical internship. These students must train in no less than six specialties before deciding on their practice. Then the practitioner must have three additional years of oversight under another physician in the Psychiatry field before they can work with and treat patients on their own. (Rehagen, T. 2016) Licensing requirements can vary by state, country or employer for psychologists, depending on which aspect of psychology you are looking to specialize in. …show more content…
Different states and institutions will have different requirements. Although, it is advised that you thoroughly research the accreditation requirements for the specialty you wish to focus on, or career plans you aspire to. Psychiatry requirements are generally the same nation wide, as these doctors are well regulated on a national scale. The overall objectives for these careers do overlap in some areas. Although, the approach can vary by many points. The Clinical Psychologist will typically focus on the patterns of psychological behavior and utilize non-medicinal solutions for patient care. These treatments often range from spiritual guidance and meditative practices to recommendations for physical exercise and record keeping to find the cause or trigger for behaviors or emotions. The Psychologist will often try to find the root cause of behaviors or feelings and teach the patient how to retrain their mind towards more beneficial outcomes. The psychologist will often work in conjunction with a psychiatrist to not only refer patients with suspected morbidities, but to assist the psychiatrist in treating patients on medication for various disorders. Recently in some select areas, psychologists have been allowed special courses in psychopharmacology and gain an endorsement on their license of practice to prescribe a limited selection of medications. Although, this is still uncommon. Career options vary widely and intermesh with numerous professions and institutions. Clinical psychology is the treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. This can range from acute depression to extreme schizophrenia. Cognitive and perceptual psychologists study human perception of reality, use of language and reasoning. Educational