Written by the Psychology & Counseling Associates team, a multidisciplinary mental health practice serving NWA since 1996.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who diagnoses mental health conditions and can prescribe medication. A psychologist typically holds a doctoral degree and provides therapy and psychological testing. A therapist, such as a licensed clinical social worker or licensed professional counselor, provides talk therapy. Many people benefit from working with more than one.
Choosing between a psychiatrist vs. psychologist vs. therapist is one of the first questions people ask when they reach out for help. At Psychology & Counseling Associates, all three work under one roof at our Fayetteville and Rogers offices, so we can help you sort it out. Here is how each role works, and how to decide where to start.
What Training Does Each Type of Provider Have?
Each provider has a different education path, and that path shapes what they do in your care. All of them must hold a state license to practice, according to the American Psychological Association’s comparison of mental health professionals.
- Psychiatrists attend medical school and earn an MD or DO degree, then complete a three to four year residency in psychiatry. Their training centers on the biological side of mental illness and on medication.
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in psychiatry. At our practice, they evaluate, prescribe, and monitor psychiatric medication alongside our psychiatrists.
- Psychologists typically complete four to six years of doctoral study (PhD, PsyD, or EdD), followed by one to two years of supervised clinical work. Their training covers human behavior, psychotherapy, and psychological assessment.
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) earn a master’s degree in social work, followed by two to three years of supervised clinical work.
- Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) are licensed counselors trained to provide psychotherapy.
“Therapist” is a general term, not a license. It can describe a psychologist, an LCSW, or an LPC. On our team, each of these clinicians can diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral health conditions.
Psychiatrist, Psychologist, and Therapist at a Glance
| Services & focus | Psychiatrist or PMHNP | Psychologist | Therapist (LCSW or LPC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Psychiatric evaluation and medication | Therapy and psychological testing | Talk therapy |
| Prescribes medication | Yes | Not in most states | No |
| Provides talk therapy | Supportive counseling within medication visits | Yes | Yes |
| Psychological testing | No | Yes | No |
What Can a Psychiatrist Do That a Therapist Cannot?
A psychiatrist, or a psychiatric nurse practitioner, can prescribe medication and manage it over time. Therapists cannot. The American Psychological Association notes that psychologists in a few states can prescribe with added training, but that is not the case in most states.
At our practice, prescribing happens through medication management. Your first appointment is more thorough than later visits. Your provider will ask about your current symptoms, medical history, past medications, therapy history, family history, sleep, stressors, and your goals for treatment.
A first visit does not mean you will leave with a prescription. Recommendations depend on your evaluation, your history, safety, and your own preferences. Sometimes your provider will suggest therapy, more information, or a follow-up visit before any medication decision.
Follow-up visits are shorter. They focus on how a medication is working, any side effects, and whether an adjustment makes sense. For some patients, your provider may recommend pharmacogenetic testing, a genetic test that offers information about how your body may process certain psychiatric medications. For a general overview of medication types, the National Institute of Mental Health publishes a helpful guide to mental health medications.
When Should You See a Psychologist for Testing?
Psychological testing makes sense when you need a clear answer to a diagnostic question. Common examples are whether a child or adult has ADHD, whether a child is on the autism spectrum, or why a student is struggling in school. A clear diagnosis can guide treatment, school accommodations, and next steps for your family.
Our psychologists and psychological examiners assess intelligence, personality, mood, cognitive functioning, and specific conditions. The four main evaluation types are:
- Psychological evaluations to identify or rule out conditions such as ADHD, autism, mood, or anxiety disorders
- Psychoeducational evaluations that look at academic achievement and cognitive abilities for school-age children and college students
- Developmental evaluations for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, to check whether development is on track
- Neuropsychological evaluations, performed by psychologists with specialized training, that connect learning and behavior with how the brain is functioning
Our guide to evaluation types explains who performs each one and which fits a given need. If attention and focus are the main concern, see how we approach ADHD testing and treatment. Coverage for testing varies by insurance plan, so check with your insurer about your benefits before you schedule.
Should You See a Therapist or a Psychiatrist First?
For most people, the right first step depends on what you want help with. These questions can point you in a direction:
- Do you want to talk through stress, grief, a relationship, or a hard season and build coping skills? Start with a therapist. Therapy can be individual, couples, or family based, and may draw on approaches such as CBT, ERP, EMDR, or play therapy for younger children.
- Are your symptoms making daily life hard, and do you want to talk about whether medication could help? Start with a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner for an evaluation.
- Do you already take a psychiatric medication and need someone to manage it? A psychiatric provider is the right fit.
- Do you need a diagnosis question answered, such as ADHD, autism, or a learning concern? Start with psychological testing.
- Still unsure? That is common. Tell us what is going on when you request an appointment, and our team will match you with a provider who fits your needs.
If you are in crisis, do not wait for an appointment. Our clinic is not an acute care facility. Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Can You See a Therapist and a Psychiatrist at the Same Time?
Yes, and many of our clients do. Therapy and medication often work together. Medication can help reduce symptoms, while therapy addresses the stressors, patterns, and life challenges that medication alone may not reach.
When both of your providers are on our team, your prescriber can coordinate with your therapist so your care stays connected. You stay involved in decisions about your care throughout.
This is one of the practical benefits of a multidisciplinary practice. Instead of building a care team across separate offices, a family in Northwest Arkansas can find therapy, medication management, and testing in the same place. Our clinicians see children, teens, adults, couples, and families, so more than one person in a household can often get care here.
You can also keep a therapist you already see somewhere else. If you start medication management with us, your provider may talk with you about whether coordinating with that therapist would help.
How Do You Start Care With Our Team?
Starting care with us takes two steps:
- Request an appointment. Complete our online new patient appointment request. Your information goes to our Intake Coordinator.
- Complete your paperwork when contacted. Our team reaches out to schedule your first visit and sends a link to paperwork for your assigned provider. Please wait until you are contacted before completing it.
When we contact you to schedule, we verify your insurance coverage and explain your benefits and costs. You can review the full new patient process before you begin.
We see clients in person at three buildings on W. Sunbridge Drive in Fayetteville and at our office on W. Walsh Lane in Rogers. Telehealth is available with many of our providers, and many medication follow-up visits can be completed by telehealth when clinically appropriate. Some situations still call for an in-person visit, based on the medication, clinical concerns, or safety. You can meet our providers and read about each clinician’s background before you request a visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) with a residency in psychiatry. A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who specializes in psychiatry. At our practice, both provide medication management, which includes evaluation, prescribing, and ongoing monitoring.
No. You always have the right to ask questions, share concerns, and take part in treatment decisions. Medication is only one potential tool in treatment, and your provider will talk through every option with you.
Yes. On our team, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed professional counselors can all diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral health conditions. Formal psychological testing is done by our psychologists and psychological examiners.
Yes. Our practice offers child and adolescent psychiatry, and medication management is available for both adults and children. Children can also receive play therapy, family therapy, and developmental or psychological testing here.
Find the Right NWA Provider for You or Your Family
You do not have to sort out the psychiatrist vs. psychologist vs. therapist question on your own. Tell us what is going on, and our team will help you find the right starting point. Request an appointment or call (479) 443-5575.