Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist: Skills or Pills?
When you’re seeking support for your mental health, one of the most common questions is:
Do I need a psychologist or a psychiatrist?
While both professionals are trained to help with mental health conditions, their approaches and qualifications differ in important ways. At SeekHelp, we want to help you understand the difference — so you can find the right fit for your needs.
The Short Answer?
Psychologists = skills
Psychiatrists = pills
…but it’s not that simple.
Let’s break it down.
What Does a Psychologist Do?
Psychologists are university-trained mental health professionals who specialise in assessing, diagnosing, and treating psychological difficulties using evidence-based therapy. They do not prescribe medication (unless they’ve done additional medical training — which is rare in Australia).
Instead, psychologists help people develop insight, coping skills, and strategies to better manage challenges such as:
- Anxiety and depression
- Trauma and PTSD
- Relationship issues
- Stress and burnout
- Grief, loss, or adjustment difficulties
- Behavioural or learning concerns (especially in children and teens)
Using therapy models like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and others, psychologists guide you through the process of understanding your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours — and give you tools to improve them.
Think of psychologists as mental health coaches who help you build psychological fitness.
What Does a Psychiatrist Do?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (with a medical degree and specialist training in psychiatry) who focus on the diagnosis, medical treatment, and prevention of mental health conditions.
They are qualified to:
- Prescribe medications (like antidepressants, mood stabilisers, antipsychotics)
- Manage complex or severe mental illnesses (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, OCD, severe depression)
- Conduct medical assessments to rule out physical causes of mental symptoms
- Sometimes offer therapy (but most focus on medical management)
Psychiatrists often work closely with GPs and psychologists to provide a full care team. You’ll generally need a referral from a GP to see a psychiatrist in Australia, and wait times can be longer due to high demand.
Think of psychiatrists as mental health specialist doctors who focus on the biological side of things.
Do I Need Skills or Pills?
Some people benefit most from therapy alone. Others might need medication to stabilise symptoms before therapy can even begin. In many cases, the best results come from a combination of both.
Here’s a quick guide:
| If you’re experiencing… | Consider seeing… |
|---|---|
| Stress, relationship issues, or burnout | A psychologist |
| Low mood or anxiety that’s been ongoing | Start with a psychologist or GP |
| Sudden changes in thinking, perception, or behaviour | A psychiatrist (via GP) |
| Struggling to cope despite trying therapy | Ask about medication – your GP or a psychiatrist can help |
| Suicidal thoughts or severe mental health concerns | Urgent psychiatric support or hospital |