The difference between psychologist and psychiatrist

Are you considering becoming a psychologist or psychiatrist? While these professions sound similar, they're not the same, and the education and qualifications they require are quite different, too. While these careers overlap in many areas, they are actually quite distinct.

So, what exactly is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist? The short answer is that psychologists use "talk therapies" and behavioural interventions to treat people, while psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication alongside providing therapy.

This guide will help you understand the differences between these two vital mental health professions and help you decide which career path is better suited to you.

What is a psychologist?

Psychologists study how people think, feel and behave. They help people overcome mental health challenges and develop resilience and well-being strategies.

While many psychologists work in counselling and therapy, the field of psychology is far broader. Psychologists can also follow research-based careers, exploring how people learn, behave, or interact socially. Some psychologists influence public policy and help design programs to promote mental health in communities. Others work in corporate settings, applying consumer psychology to marketing, branding or advertising.

If you're interested in human behaviour, psychology might be a great fit.

How psychologists help people

The most common type of psychologist is a clinical psychologist. They diagnose and treat mental health problems, using talk therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). These sessions help people change their thinking, manage emotions, and build coping skills.

They work in a range of settings, including hospitals, schools, workplaces, and in elite sports settings. They also see high demand in online telehealth platforms.

The most common types of psychologists

• Clinical psychologists: treat mental health conditions, often working in hospitals or their own private practice.

• Educational and developmental psychologists: support students with developmental challenges. They also help adults with learning difficulties. They work in schools or privately with families through their own practice.

• Organisational psychologists: focus on improving performance and mental health at work.

• Sports psychologists: help athletes enhance focus, motivation, mental resilience, and performance under pressure. They often work with elite sportspeople. 

What is a psychiatrist?

Put simply, psychiatrists are medically trained doctors who diagnose and prescribe medication for mental health issues. They usually work in hospitals or their own private practice (or both).

Beyond clinical work, psychiatrists can contribute to medical research, publish work in academic journals, work in military mental health services, advise in forensic cases, and even help shape public policy. Their training allows them to work in hospitals, private practice, government organisations, legal systems, and research institutions.

If you're interested in human biology and behaviour, and can commit to a long academic journey with extensive training, psychiatry could be a rewarding and varied career path for you.

How psychiatrists help people

Psychiatrists diagnose mental health conditions, often treating complex or severe illnesses that require medication as well as counselling. They develop treatment plans that combine medication and therapy.

They also consider how physical health or lifestyle factors affect mental wellbeing. They adjust treatment based on ongoing assessments and collaborate with other health professionals and social workers.

The most common types of psychiatrists

• Child and adolescent psychiatrists: work with young people and support emotional and behavioural development through therapy and family collaboration.

• Forensic psychiatrists: work with the justice system and assess individuals involved in crime or court proceedings. They may also provide expert testimony.

• Addiction psychiatrists: specialise in treating people recovering from drug or alcohol dependency. They combine therapy and medication.

• Geriatric psychiatrists: focus on the mental health of older adults. They diagnose and treat dementia, depression, and anxiety related to ageing.

General differences between a psychologist and a psychiatrist

Psychologists often support people with mild to moderate mental health issues. They focus on behaviour and coping strategies. Meanwhile, psychiatrists treat complex or severe conditions, especially those that need medication. They take a holistic approach that includes physical health factors. These mental health professionals often collaborate as part of a care team.

How to become a psychologist or psychiatrist in Australia

Interested in becoming a psychologist or psychiatrist? Both jobs require years of study and hands-on training, but follow different academic paths. In this section, we outline what qualifications and training you need to become a psychologist or psychiatrist. 

Becoming a psychologist in Australia

Start by completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology or psychological science (three years) then complete an honours year (one year) with a research project. 

After that, you can choose a postgraduate course, such as a masters or doctorate, or you can choose a two-year supervised practice program. Once complete, apply for general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. You can complete further study if you want to specialise, then apply for an area of endorsement, like clinical, forensic, or sports psychology.

Expect the entire process to take from six to eight years. A psychology degree allows you to follow a broad range of different career paths – it’s a flexible degree that can open opportunities even outside of mental healthcare. It’s also possible to transition into graduate medicine to become a physician/psychiatrist.

Scope of work and responsibilities

Clinical psychologists use talk therapy and behavioural interventions rather than medications,  to support mental wellbeing. They can work across many settings, including hospitals, their own private practices, corporate workplaces, and community services.

Their day-to-day work can include:

• Assessing mental health and behaviour using interviews, questionnaires or standardised tests

• Providing therapy for milk to moderate mental health issues

• Designing treatment plans based on evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

• Helping clients build coping skills and improve decision-making or communication

• Working with general practitioners (GPs) and other health professionals to support client outcomes

• Conducting research or policy work, particularly in academic, government, or not-for-profit sectors

Costs and considerations

Aside from the long academic journey, below are other things to keep in mind.

• Tuition fees: bachelor’s degrees in psychology range from $20,000 to $40,000 per year for domestic students. Postgraduate studies can add another $30,000 to $60,000 per year.

• Time commitment: most programs are full-time, but many universities offer part-time or online options for the early years.

• Supervised practice: Complete a master’s after your studies or complete two years of supervised practice.

• Ongoing registration: You must register with the Psychology Board of Australia. Then, you need to meet continuing professional development (CPD) requirements each year.

Career advancement opportunities

Psychology is a flexible career that can take you to completely different areas from mental health counselling. You can also pursue a mix of teaching, writing and advocacy. Once you’re registered, psychology offers several pathways for growth:

• Specialise in clinical, educational, forensic, organisational or sports psychology. Most of these need postgraduate training. They also need endorsement from the Psychology Board of Australia.

• Move into a private practice, where you can set your own hours and fees. This is a popular option for experienced psychologists.

• Leadership or management roles in healthcare, government, or corporate settings.

• Teach or conduct research in universities or influence mental health policy in the public sector.

• Train as a supervisor to mentor early-career psychologists.

Becoming a psychiatrist in Australia

First, you need to complete a Doctor of Medicine (six years) or a post-graduate medical degree (four years) to become a psychiatrist. During this time, you study human biology, pharmacology and clinical medicine, among other subjects. Once you have graduated, you must complete a one-year internship in a hospital setting, then at least one more year in residency (at a hospital) before applying for specialist training.

Specialist training includes a fellowship with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). This takes around five years, including rotations, exams and supervised clinical work. Becoming a psychiatrist takes approximately 10 to 12 years from start to finish.

Scope of work and responsibilities

Psychiatrists are trained physicians, which means they are qualified to assess physical health, including the factors that influence mental health. They work in hospitals, private practices, community services, crisis settings, and research roles.

Their responsibilities often include:

• Conducting psychiatric assessments and diagnosing mental illnesses

• Prescribing and monitoring medications

• Providing or referring for psychological therapies (e.g., psychotherapy or cognitive behavioural therapy)

• Coordinating care with GPs, psychologists, nurses, and social workers

• Monitoring progress and adjusting treatment plans over time

• Working in acute/emergency care

Costs and considerations

Becoming a psychiatrist is a long-term commitment to education and training. On top of that, there are other things to consider. 

• Tuition fees: medical degrees can cost $40,000 to $80,000 per year for domestic students. Some places offer bonded scholarships, but competition is high.

• Competitive entry: medical school often requires high academic scores and rigorous interviews.

• Time and intensity: psychiatry training includes exams, supervision, rotations, and regular assessments.

• Medical registration: you must maintain registration with the Medical Board of Australia and complete continuing professional development (CPD) yearly.

Career advancement opportunities

A degree in medicine opens a lot of doors. You can work in clinical settings, research, education, entertainment, humanitarianism, policy and more. You can work as a doctor in regional hospitals or major cities, as well as overseas. Psychiatry offers a wide range of professional pathways, depending on your interests.

• Specialise in areas such as pediatric psychiatry, aviation or forensics

• Lead multidisciplinary teams in hospitals or mental health services

• Enter private practice

• Teach and supervise junior doctors or medical students

• Advocate for mental health policy and system reform

• Conduct research into psychiatric disorders, medications or treatment models

Careers in mental health beyond psychology and psychiatry

There are roles similar to psychologist and psychiatrist, that don’t require the same education and training commitment. Here are some rewarding career paths in mental health that don’t require a medical degree.

• Mental health nurses: provide daily support and care plans for patients, with roles in clinics or community centres.

• Psychiatric nurse: a registered nurse with a psychiatry specialisation, who works in an ER, hospital or psychiatry wing.  

• Counsellors: offer talk therapy to help people manage life changes, process grief, or address relationship issues. They need less formal training than psychologists.

• Social workers: support clients facing complex challenges like homelessness, disability, or family violence. They provide emotional support and link people with services.

• Occupational therapists: can work in omental health. Help people rebuild confidence and daily routines after an injury or traumatic event.

Psychologists and psychiatrists both work in the realm of mental health, yet the two roles have significant differences. While a psychologist is trained in human behaviour, and generally addresses mental illnesses through talk therapies, psychiatrists can prescribe medication to treat patients.  

Both open up rewarding pathways that allow you to change careers later down the line, and both are in high demand, offering excellent job security and high income potential. 

FAQs

Can a psychologist prescribe medication in Australia?

No, psychologists cannot prescribe medication. Only psychiatrists, as qualified medical doctors, have prescribing rights in Australia.

How long does it take to become a psychologist vs psychiatrist?

Depending on your chosen pathway, it takes from six to eight years to become a psychologist. Meanwhile, it takes 10 to 12 years to become a psychiatrist.

Do I need to be good at science or maths to become a psychologist or psychiatrist?

You need strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to undertake a psychology degree and clinical training. Good results in high-school maths and science may also be required to get the required ATAR score (at least 90) to be accepted into a Doctor of Medicine at uni. Psychology is generally less focused on maths or science ability.

Can I become a psychologist with a background in another career? 

Yes. Many people change careers to become psychologists. You must complete an accredited psychology degree and meet the registration requirements.

What’s the earning potential for psychologists and psychiatrists?

Psychiatrists generally earn more due to their medical qualifications. Average salaries often exceed $200,000, though doctors with their own private practice earn much more. Psychologists earn between $80,000 and $120,000.