Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist for Anxiety → Which is Better?

Decided it’s finally time to start seeing someone for your anxiety? Good for you! I know how hard it can be, both through my professional experience as a therapist and my personal experience as a therapy-seeker.

I also know how daunting it can be to choose the professional you want to work with. There are so many options out there, and if you’re new to therapy, it can be really overwhelming. 

That’s why I created this guide. Lots of people wonder whether they should work with a psychologist or psychiatrist for anxiety (or a different kind of therapist altogether) to see the best results.

The answer, as with pretty much everything mental health-related, is: 

It depends.

In this post, I’ll break down the differences between psychologists and psychiatrists so you can have a better understanding of what exactly you’re signing up for in working with either one. Plus, I’ll share some tips to help you weigh your options and ultimately make the best choice for your unique situation.

Psychologist vs. psychiatrist: What’s the difference?

While the names sound similar, these are two distinct types of professionals. There’s no right or wrong choice–after all, your therapy journey is all about you–but it’s important to understand the similarities and differences. This is the best way to make an informed decision about your mental health care.

Psychologist basics

Psychologists are mental health professionals who–you guessed it–have studied psychology. But there’s more to it than that. Let’s dive into the details of a psychologist’s background, experience, and what exactly they do.

• Credentials: Doctorate degree, either in Psychology (Psy.D.) or Philosophy (Ph.D.). Psychologists with a Psy.D. are typically more clinically-focused (i.e., they more often work directly with clients) while those with a Ph.D. tend to be research-focused. Psychologists must also get a license through each state they plan to practice in. Additional licensing through the American Board of Psychology and PSYPACT are optional.
• Education & training: Thousands of hours of supervised practice in addition to coursework. This could be through internships during the doctoral program, post-doctorate training, and/or as a pre-licensed professional in a clinical setting. 
• Treatment lens: Psychology-based. During their training, psychologists will learn about mental health issues, theories, and treatment methods and gain clinical experience. Depending on which track they take, they’ll also learn about research methods and how to conduct studies.
• Services provided: Individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and/or psychological testing. 

Hopefully, this helps clear up your questions about the role of a psychologist. While we’re at it, let’s take a look at another term for some mental health professionals: psychotherapists.

Psychotherapist basics

“Psychotherapist” is a blanket term for professionals who use talk therapy (and other forms of therapy, like EMDR) to treat mental health issues. Psychologists are one type of psychotherapist, but there are others. Here, we’ll take a peek into the qualifications of a psychotherapist and how they can help.

• Credentials: Usually a master’s degree, but sometimes a doctorate degree as well. Psychotherapists may have a degree in psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, art therapy, or other similar disciplines. They’re also licensed in the states where they provide services.
• Education & training: Graduate-level coursework and thousands of hours of supervised practice. Internships are typically required in these graduate programs, and psychotherapists then receive supervision in their first few years of practice after graduating. 
• Treatment lens: Varies depending on each therapist’s training. For example, marriage and family therapists are focused on family systems and relationship dynamics. Social workers have special training in social justice and understanding how larger systems impact people on an individual level.
• Services provided: Individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and group therapy.

Now, let’s move on to a different type of professional altogether: psychiatrists. 

Psychiatrist basics

Unlike other mental health professionals, psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in treating mental health issues. Here is some more basic info about who psychiatrists are and what they can provide.

• Credentials: Medical degree (M.D.). Psychiatrists first complete medical school and then enter a residency program. Psychiatrists must then pass an exam and meet state requirements to earn licensure in the states where they plan to practice. They may also pursue optional licensure through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
• Education & training: Coursework & thousands of hours of supervised practice. Psychiatrists may learn mental health basics during medical school, but their residency is where the majority of their psychiatry training comes from. They learn to diagnose and treat mental health issues under the supervision of licensed professionals.
• Treatment lens: Medically-focused. Psychiatrists are doctors who are trained to practice medicine. While some psychiatrists pursue additional training around therapeutic modalities, medicine is at the core of their education. 
• Services provided: Medication management, and, in some cases, therapy.

Keep in mind that these are broad overviews of each profession. Individual psychologists or psychiatrists may have different education, training, experience, and treatment lenses. It’s best to look into each professional you’re interested in working with to understand exactly who they are and how they can help you.

Should I see a psychiatrist or psychologist for anxiety?

Even if anxiety has you feeling otherwise, you know what you need better than anyone else. 

It’s true! Only you can make this decision for yourself. If that thought feels scary, take a deep breath. You can trust yourself–there’s no wrong answer.

Now that you understand the basic differences (and similarities) between psychiatrists and psychologists, you can start to reflect on your needs, values, and goals for therapy. I have some guiding questions here to help you get the ball rolling. 

Pay attention to the feelings that come up when you think about these questions. If it helps, you can also grab a piece of paper or open up a new note in your phone. Jot down some thoughts, make a pros and cons list, or do whatever else will help you get in touch with what you want and need. 

What services do you want?

Let’s start with the low-hanging fruit. Do you want meds, or do you want therapy? If you know that you absolutely want medication, you should work with a psychiatrist. As we discussed, they’re medical doctors who are trained in treating mental health conditions.

If you know for sure you want therapy only, I’d recommend looking for a psychologist or licensed psychotherapist. While some psychiatrists have training in therapy methods, clinical psychologists are more likely to have in-depth education around a wide variety of different modalities. After all, it’s the whole focus of their degree.

But before you stop reading and go search for a psychologist, hear me out. Psychologists aren’t the only mental health professionals who are qualified to provide therapy–you’ve got options, baby!

(Okay, maybe not infinite. But still.)

I’ll dive into this more later, so stay tuned.

How severe are your symptoms? 

This might feel a bit hard to judge, but don’t worry–we’re not asking you to make a self-diagnosis here. Just think about how difficult it is to carry on with your day-to-day life. 

Is your anxiety so intense that it’s been hard to even leave the house lately? Or is it more of an omnipresent voice in your brain that’s bugged you for years but you’re finally ready to face it? 

If your symptoms are super intense, you may want to consider seeking out a psychiatrist. It might be hard to do deep healing if your anxiety is so overwhelming that you can barely function. And that’s okay. 

Once your symptoms feel more manageable, you can consider delving into stuff like challenging negative thoughts, setting boundaries, etc. But if you’re stuck in fight-or-flight mode, that work might not be possible right now.

What’s your mental and physical health history?

Part of diagnosing and treating mental health issues (like anxiety) is ruling out other problems. During an initial assessment, a psychologist or psychiatrist will ask you questions to understand what exactly is going on. Through this process, they might discover that there are some other factors at play that need special attention.

For example, anxiety can be an issue in and of itself–such as in the case of generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder. But it can also be related to other issues, like PTSD, ADHD, substance abuse, or even physical health problems like heart disease or thyroid problems.

If you already know that you have a co-occurring medical issue, it could be smart to work with a psychiatrist. Since they’re medical doctors, they’ll be able to help treat underlying medical issues if those are part of your anxiety symptoms. 

At the same time, a psychologist can always refer you to a specialist or even work with your primary care provider if they suspect a medical issue may be at play. Psychologists are well-equipped to treat co-occurring mental health issues.

What do you want to get out of anxiety treatment?

If you’re purely looking for symptom relief, working with a psychiatrist could be a good option. Medication can be highly effective, and it can be an invaluable tool for people who are really struggling. 

At the same time, meds won’t get to the root of the issue. In therapy, you’ll explore past traumas, your thought and behavior patterns, and all your emotions: good, bad, and neutral. By understanding the underlying factors that contribute to your anxiety, you can learn how to show up differently in the world and find long-lasting relief.

But it’s hard. And it takes time–sometimes a long time. Which leads me to…

How ready are you to commit to the process?

Doing the deep healing work that therapy requires is a commitment. While you can stop and start therapy however often you need, it’s usually most effective when you are dedicated to the process for a significant amount of time.

If you’re not ready to do the inner reflection that therapy demands, it might not be the right time to work with a psychologist. A psychiatrist may be able to help you find some symptom relief through medication, but know that these results likely won’t be permanent and may not have the kind of transformative effect you’re hoping for.

Again, mental health medication is an important tool–an essential one for some people, especially those with bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, ADHD, and more. But for those of us with anxiety, learning the thought, emotion, and behavior patterns that keep us stuck is the way to lasting healing. And medication alone can’t provide that. 

It doesn’t have to be “either-or.” I can be “both-and…” or neither.

Hopefully, these questions have given you some good food for thought about choosing a psychiatrist or psychologist for anxiety. But remember earlier when I said that these aren’t your only two options? Let’s talk more about that now.

Psychologists and psychiatrists are just two of the qualified mental health professionals that can help you on your journey. During your search for anxiety treatment, you might also encounter professionals with other credentials, like…

• Licensed clinical social workers
• Licensed professional counselors
• Substance abuse counselors
• Licensed marriage and family therapists
• Art therapists
• Psychiatric nurse practitioners
• Play therapists
• Licensed mental health counselors

See? I really meant it when I said you have options.

While each of these professionals (including psychologists and psychiatrists) has different credentials and may provide different services, each is a qualified mental health professional in their own right. 

Plus, you can work with both a psychiatrist and psychologist (or another type of psychotherapist) at the same time. When it comes to mental health treatment, it’s really about finding what works for you.

It’s also important to remember that a provider’s credentials are only one part of the equation. Consider their specialty area, approach, values, and logistics like scheduling or telehealth availability. And perhaps most importantly of all, you’ll want to make sure they’re a good personality fit for you. 

Yes, you should absolutely vibe with your therapist. (Like, in a professional yet personal way.) 

It’s tough to explain unless you’ve had the privilege of finding your soulmate therapist. But this is the person that you’re going to be sharing your most vulnerable thoughts and feelings with–as well as celebrating your successes. 

If you’re going to walk this journey with anyone, it should be someone who you genuinely click with. And while you might not feel comfortable pouring your heart out right away, you should feel like you have a genuine human connection with this person.

Find the therapist that’s right for you.

That’s where we come in. At Best Therapists, we vet all our therapists so you can put all your energy into finding the right fit for you. Your soulmate anxiety specialist could be a few clicks away!

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