What is the Difference Between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?

Both psychologists and psychiatrists assist people with mental health concerns. Psychologists provide an array of psychotherapy and assessment services. Through various orientations psychologists focus on assisting individuals to create positve changes in their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors, mental health, relationships, and overall life-functioning. Psychologists can work with individuals, couples, families, small groups, schools, and communities, as well as children, adolescents, and adults. They often specialize in specific areas such as counselling, clinical, forensic, educational/school, or neuropsychology. To use the title "psychologist" in Alberta one must be registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists.

Psychiatrists on the other hand are medical physicians who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders. They can prescribe psychotrophic medications and provide psychotherapy, often oriented from a medical framework.