What is the difference between a Therapist and a Psychiatrist?
What’s the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and a Therapist?
If you’re considering mental health support, you may wonder what the difference is between a psychiatrist and a therapist and where a nurse practitioner fits in. At Upper Echelon Psychiatry, we want to help you understand your options so you can find the right care for your needs.
What Is a Psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications and provide medical treatments for disorders like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and more.
What Is a Therapist?
A therapist is a mental health professional trained to provide talk therapy and counseling. Therapists help you explore emotions, develop coping strategies, and work through life challenges using techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Therapists do not prescribe medications.
What Is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner?
A psychiatric nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse trained to diagnose mental health conditions, provide therapy, and prescribe medications much like a psychiatrist. Our provider, Davonna (Dee) Wilson, DNP, APRN, offers comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans to support your mental wellness.
How Do They Work Together?
Therapy and medication often go hand in hand. While our nurse practitioner provides medication management and medical expertise, many patients also work with therapists for ongoing counseling and emotional support. Together, these approaches offer a well-rounded path to mental health.
Which One Do You Need?
If you think medication might help or need a diagnosis, seeing our nurse practitioner is a great first step.
If you want to explore emotions and develop coping skills, a therapist can provide valuable support.
Many people benefit from a combination of both.
At Upper Echelon Psychiatry, we focus on compassionate, individualized care tailored to your goals. If you’re unsure what kind of support is best, contact us to discuss how we can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
