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What is a Psychiatrist?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

A psychiatrist is a licensed medical doctor who has not only earned a medical degree (MD), but who has further specialized in the field of psychiatry, which emphasizes the care and treatment of people with mental illness. This specialization takes three to four years of study after obtaining a medical license, and involves treating people with mental illness in a variety of settings. In the US, most people who specialize in this field then take examinations given by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology to receive board certification. For the patient evaluating psychiatrists, board certification is a good thing to look for because it indicates that the doctor in question has demonstrated sufficient knowledge in his or her profession.

Sometimes people confuse psychiatrists with other therapists. Only medical doctors can use this job title and only they — not counselors, social workers, or psychologists — can prescribe medications or other medical therapies for the treatment of mental disorders. Many of these specialists work in conjunction with therapists, and they may provide therapy or counseling only as it relates to medication issues while a main therapist provides the majority of actual counseling. This is not always the case, however.

A psychiatrist mainly focuses on treating those with mental illness.
A psychiatrist mainly focuses on treating those with mental illness.

Other professionals not only prescribe medication but also offer therapy, since they are trained to do so, much as any other therapist would be. In the US, it can sometimes be worthwhile to find a psychiatrist who also maintains a therapy practice, as most health insurance companies treat visits to this type of medical professional as normal doctor's visits. Visits to a therapist may be limited in certain places, and in many states, health insurance only allows people a maximum of 20 visits to a therapist a year, which may not be sufficient to address a chronic mental illness.

Psychiatrists are MDs and can therefore prescribe medication if necessary.
Psychiatrists are MDs and can therefore prescribe medication if necessary.

A psychiatrist can work in many settings, including hospitals, mental health facilities or prisons. Others maintain a private practice, and still others consult with mental health facilities and maintain private practices. They can also work in research facilities, for pharmaceutical companies, or they may be part of investigative organizations like the police force.

Some psychiatrists may be called upon to testify as to the fitness of a defendant to stand trial.
Some psychiatrists may be called upon to testify as to the fitness of a defendant to stand trial.

Some specialize in criminal psychiatry and examine people accused of a crime to testify as to their fitness to stand trial or their mental health status during the commission of a crime. In criminal trials, a mental health expert may testify for the defense, suggesting that a person cannot be held legally responsible for a crime because of mental illness. As part of criminal investigation, psychiatrists may also create profiles to help police narrow their field of suspects.

A psychiatrist may be in private practice or employed at a hospital or mental health facility.
A psychiatrist may be in private practice or employed at a hospital or mental health facility.

One of the principal jobs of this doctor in therapeutic settings is the diagnosis of mental illness and determining course of treatment. In other words, he or she typically diagnoses mental illness and prescribes drugs and/or other medical therapies thought most effective. Since certain medications may have unwanted side effects, and it can take a while to find the right treatment for each individual patient, the doctor will continue to evaluate the patient until he or she is considered stabilized through medical therapies.

If a patient does have both a psychiatrist and a talk therapist, one of the most important things to look for is the willingness of both parties to communicate with each other. The patient should sign whatever medical releases are necessary so these two clinicians can work with each other. Since many treatments for mental illness are primarily addressed by both talk or cognitive behavioral therapy and medication, clinicians with opposing opinions on treatment may create problems for the patient. It's often beneficial to ask a therapist for recommendations for other healthcare professionals with whom he or she works frequently. Some practices employ mental health professionals of different types, which can make communication between these practitioners easier to achieve.

When a psychiatrist actually uses talk therapy, it's important to remember that there are many different philosophical approaches to the treatment of mental illness. Therapists can be Jungians, Freudians, behaviorists, humanists, Gestalt therapists or fall into a category that is more loosely defined. A patient may want to ask his clinician what his or her approach to therapy is prior to beginning treatment to see if this is compatible with his own philosophies on achieving good mental health.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon217024

people say psychiatrists are the devil and only prescribe meds to "fix" things on a trial and error basis. just researchers.

raresteak

In addition to being able to prescribe medications, psychiatrists can recommend treatment such as shock therapy and psychotherapy. They often work with the patients' families and other mental health workers to determine the best course of action to improve the lives of those with mental health problems. Psychiatrists are also responsible for ordering lab test and other types of diagnostic testing.

jwal33

Some psychiatrists opt to perform research about mental illness instead of working with patients. These research psychiatrists study the causes and effects of mental disorders. Some may also teach in medical schools or special psychiatric institutes.

ginsberg05

In the United States, the median expected salary for a psychiatrist is $180,863.

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    • A psychiatrist mainly focuses on treating those with mental illness.
      By: alexsokolov
      A psychiatrist mainly focuses on treating those with mental illness.
    • Psychiatrists are MDs and can therefore prescribe medication if necessary.
      By: Feng Yu
      Psychiatrists are MDs and can therefore prescribe medication if necessary.
    • Some psychiatrists may be called upon to testify as to the fitness of a defendant to stand trial.
      By: Stephen Coburn
      Some psychiatrists may be called upon to testify as to the fitness of a defendant to stand trial.
    • A psychiatrist may be in private practice or employed at a hospital or mental health facility.
      By: michaeljung
      A psychiatrist may be in private practice or employed at a hospital or mental health facility.