What’s the Difference Between a Psychotherapist and Psychiatrist?

Many people often confuse psychiatrists and psychotherapists when searching for a mental health professional. Contrary to popular belief, we are not one and the same. In layman’s terms, a psychotherapist is a person who treats mental disorders by psychological rather than medical means. On the other hand, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who takes additional training and residency in psychiatry.

Psychiatrists conduct psychiatric evaluations and, typically, prescribe meds such as anti-depressants, mood stabilizers and anti-Anxiety agents.  Although they may have some training in psychotherapy, most psychiatrists engage in medication management and don’t conduct psychotherapy.

As a psychotherapist (not a psychiatrist), I provide “talk therapy” and specific non-medical interventions to help my clients achieve relief from a number of psychological, emotional and relational problems. My mission is to get to the bottom of a patient’s emotional/psychological problems, rather than just alleviating the symptoms.

For some clients, medication provides a kind of “jump start” (similar to jump starting a car battery).

And… just as jump-starting a car requires the rest of the car to be in good working order, so too, medication is most effective in combination with a proven set of therapeutic approaches to address the underlying issues of a client’s distress and tools for moving forward to achieve relief from one’s distress.

Having said this, medication isn’t always indicated for clients in distress and a trained psychotherapist can help uncover what’s ailing or holding back the client while teaching them skills to gain relief and live with joy, purpose, and meaning.

As a psychotherapist, I can work with you to gain insight into how your thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and behaviors keep you stuck in your anxiety, depression, and/or relationship while giving you the tools to gain freedom from your distress and achieve a life of joy, purpose, and freedom.

Depression, sadness, anxiety disorders, stress, and worry can make it difficult to find happiness in your life. We all need support at different times in our lives.  Most of my clients seek help when their current way of dealing with life’s challenges no longer works for them. With a caring, non-judgmental and solution-focused approach, we will explore your issues and challenges in a safe therapeutic environment at my private practice in Delray Beach, Florida.

I also offer remote online therapy from the comfort and security of home that will allow you to learn more effective ways of managing your anxiety and stress.

Let’s walk the path to freedom from depression and anxiety together. If you’re ready to let go of the sadness, depression, fears, worries, and anxieties that are making life difficult, check out my Anxiety & Depression Support Group hosted every other Tuesday at my private practice.