A therapist and a psychiatrist are both medical professionals who specialize in mental health, but they have very different roles. A therapist is a broad term for a mental health professional who provides counseling and psychotherapy. A therapist has a master’s or doctoral degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related field. They are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medication. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with specialized training in mental health. They can diagnose and treat mental illnesses, prescribe medications, and order tests to diagnose mental health problems. They may also provide psychotherapy, but this is not their primary focus.
