When seeking mental health care, it’s common to come across terms like “psychologist” and “psychotherapist,” and understanding their differences can help you find the right provider for your needs. While both professionals offer essential support, their training, approaches, and scope of practice can vary.
If you’re searching for a psychologist OKC or wondering whether a psychotherapist is the right fit for you, here’s what you need to know.
What Is a Psychologist OKC?
Psychologists hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology. They have an in-depth understanding of human behavior, emotions, and cognitive processes. They are highly trained in providing psychological evaluations and various forms of therapy to help individuals manage mental health conditions, relationship issues, and behavioral challenges.
What Psychologists Do:
- Conduct psychological evaluations and testing
- Diagnose mental health conditions
- Provide evidence-based therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Research and apply psychological theories to treatment
- Help clients develop coping strategies for anxiety, depression, trauma, and more
Psychologists often work hand-in-hand with other mental health professionals to comprehensively address a client’s needs. For example, since most psychologists cannot prescribe medication, they may refer clients to a psychiatrist for medication management.
What Is a Psychotherapist?
A psychotherapist is a broad term that refers to licensed professionals trained to provide talk therapy. This category can include psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), and marriage and family therapists (MFTs). Unlike psychologists, psychotherapists do not always have a doctoral degree, but they are licensed to diagnose and treat mental health conditions through therapy.
What Psychotherapists Do:
- Offer individual, couples, or family therapy
- Use various therapeutic approaches, such as CBT, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed therapy
- Help clients manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions
- Work with clients on behavioral and emotional challenges
While all psychologists are psychotherapists, not all psychotherapists are psychologists. Making the right choice depends on the level of care and expertise you need.
What About an Oklahoma City Psychiatrist?
While both psychologists and psychotherapists focus on therapy, a psychiatrist takes a different approach to mental health care. An Oklahoma City psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing mental health conditions through a combination of medical and therapeutic interventions. Unlike psychologists and psychotherapists, psychiatrists can prescribe medications for mental health disorders.
What Psychiatrists Do:
- Conduct comprehensive evaluations
- Diagnose mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia
- Prescribe and manage medications, as well as make any adjustments as needed
- Work collaboratively with psychologists, psychotherapists, and other mental health professionals to provide well-rounded care
Their expertise is particularly beneficial for individuals who may need medication as part of their treatment plan. If therapy alone does not help you meet your goals, a psychiatrist can evaluate whether medication might be a helpful addition to your care.
Which Professional Should You See?
When choosing between a psychologist OKC, psychotherapist, and psychiatrist, consider your specific needs and treatment goals.
- A psychologist is the best option if you need psychological testing or a formal diagnosis.
- If you are seeking therapy for emotional support, anxiety, or life challenges, a psychotherapist can provide meaningful guidance through therapeutic techniques.
- If you need medication management, a psychiatrist is often required, as neither psychologists nor psychotherapists prescribe medication.
Many people also benefit from seeing multiple mental health professionals. For example, combining therapy with medication may be the most effective approach for you. An Oklahoma City psychiatrist can prescribe medication, while a psychologist or psychotherapist can provide therapy.
Searching for the Best Psychologist in OKC?
At Resilient Psychotherapy & Psychiatric Services, we understand that every person’s mental health journey is unique. Our Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Christina Whelan, provides therapy for individuals facing anxiety, depression, grief, and other concerns. For those in need of medication management, our psychiatrist, Dr. Sean Whelan, works closely with clients to develop personalized treatment plans.
If you’re searching for the best psychologist in OKC or looking for compassionate, evidence-based mental health care, we are here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.