You've probably heard of therapists and psychiatrists, but you may not know exactly what they do or how they're different. Both types of mental health professionals can help you achieve your mental health goals, but they do so in different ways.
At Bella Jace Center for Health, we offer psychiatric services and innovative treatments. Our patients receive premium and targeted care at the hands of dedicated professionals. If you’re in need of mental health services in Tennessee or a psychiatrist in Franklin, TN, we’re here to help. If you’re in between choosing a therapist and a psychiatrist, below is a quick overview of the difference between therapists and psychiatrists.
Therapists are mental health professionals who provide talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy. Talk therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on helping you manage your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Therapists can help you learn how to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. They can also help you work through personal issues, such as grief, relationship problems, and career challenges.
Most therapists have a master's degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or a related field. In some states, therapists must also have a license to practice. Licensed therapists must complete several years of supervised clinical experience before they can practice independently.
Psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in mental health conditions. They can provide both talk therapy and medication management. Medication management involves working with you to develop a treatment plan that includes psychiatric medications. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications to treat conditions like anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.
To become a psychiatrist, one must complete medical school and then complete a residency in psychiatry. During their residency, psychiatrists receive specialized training in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions from a medical perspective. After completing their residency, psychiatrists must pass a licensure exam before they can practice independently.
The main difference between therapists and psychiatrists is that psychiatrists are medical doctors while therapists are not. This means that psychiatrists can prescribe medication while therapists cannot. In some cases, people see both a psychiatrist in Franklin, TN and therapist to get the most comprehensive care possible. However, this is not always necessary. Some people may only need to see a therapist while others may only need to see a psychiatrist. The type of professional you see depends on your individual needs.
At Bella Jace Center for Health, we work with innovative and experienced psychiatrists to offer our patients the compassion and care of talk therapy and the life-saving medications many patients need to live their best life. We also offer consultation and psych evaluation services, so you can best identify if working with us is right for you. Psychiatrists in Franklin, TN can offer start to finish care that addresses your unique needs specifically.
Now that you know the difference between these two types of mental health professionals, you can decide which type of provider is right for you. If you think you would benefit from medication management along with talk therapy, then seeing a psychiatrist may be the best course of action for you. If you feel that talk therapy would be helpful but don't think you need medication management, then seeing a therapist may be the better option for you.
No matter what decision you make, please remember that there is no shame in seeking out professional help to achieve your mental health goals! Bella Jace Center for Health offers comprehensive psychiatry services to the greater Nashville area. Check us out today!
