Psychiatrist or Psychotherapist: Who Treats, Who Counsels

A psychiatrist is Board-Certified Specialist in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. He makes diagnoses, determines whether there are physical causes behind the symptoms, and is authorized to prescribe medication.

How do I find a psychiatrist?

For those with public health insurance, the appointment service at 116117 also arranges appointments with specialists, including psychiatrists. To do so, you must have a referral, such as one from your primary care physician; exceptions apply in cases such as medical emergencies. For psychotherapy appointments, however, you do not need a referral.

Psychological Psychotherapist and Psychological Counselor

A psychological psychotherapist, on the other hand, is not authorized to prescribe medication: He or she is licensed and treats disorders that meet the criteria for a medical condition using scientifically recognized methods. Depending on the condition and its severity, a combination of both—medication and therapy—may be appropriate; in such cases, a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist work together. The situation is quite different for a psychological counselor: The title is unprotected, there is no required training and no coverage for medical conditions. Anyone who actually wants to treat illnesses needs a medical license or a license as a naturopath; for the latter, no specialized training is required—only a review of one’s knowledge. More on this can be found in the article on The Difference Between Counseling and Psychotherapy.

A rule of thumb

My own case: I am a licensed physician and offer Consultation with a Licensed Physician ...without any connection to illness. As a rule of thumb: Questions about medication are the psychiatrist’s domain; unclear physical symptoms are first evaluated by the family doctor or the psychiatrist; issues that constitute a medical condition belong in psychotherapy; and concerns unrelated to illness—those that need to be understood and clarified—belong in counseling. Counseling replaces a necessary treatment No.