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Different health professions – who does what?

It’s easy to get lost in the jungle of different health professions. Many people realise that they are not doing well and need help, but don’t know where to turn. There are psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and then there are psychologists – but who is the best person to talk to?

First of all, you should know the differences in order to make an informed decision.

General practitioners,

also known as family doctors, are usually the best first point of contact if you suspect that you may be suffering from depression. They will carry out tests or refer you to a specialist to rule out any physical causes for your symptoms. If psychotherapy is recommended, a general practitioner can also issue a referral.

Psychiatrists

are medical specialists, which means they have completed a degree in medicine and then specialised in psychiatry. This means they are authorised to prescribe medication and make diagnoses. As part of their training, they have also acquired psychotherapeutic knowledge and can provide psychotherapeutic treatment. Psychiatrists are the right choice if you have a disorder that requires medication in addition to psychotherapy. If you are unsure whether this is the case for you, you can consult a psychiatrist to clarify your suspicions.

Neurologists,

like psychiatrists, have also completed a degree in medicine followed by specialist training – however, their treatment focuses on neurological disorders rather than mental disorders. For example, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or polyneuropathies (i.e. sensory or nerve disorders) are typically treated by neurologists. However, neurologists can also examine brain activity, e.g. using an EEG. This can be an important step towards the correct diagnosis for people with sleep disorders or depressive symptoms. Neurologists can therefore carry out examinations and prescribe medication but are not authorised to provide psychotherapy. Some doctors are both psychiatrists and neurologists, as until about 10 years ago, training for the two branches was not separate.

Psychologists

have completed a broad-based degree in psychology. Although therapeutic content is also taught, it is not extensive enough to enable them to provide therapy themselves. Psychologists are also not authorised to prescribe medication. Psychologists can therefore primarily work in an advisory or diagnostic capacity. They are therefore often found in counselling centres or clinics. If you would like to seek initial professional advice or an assessment, or if you are in crisis, for example, a psychologist can be your first point of contact. As soon as you have a disorder that requires therapy, the work of the psychologist ends.

Psychotherapists

This profession varies greatly from country to country. In Germany, for example, you must currently be a psychologist, i.e. have a degree in psychology, in order to train as a psychotherapist. Psychotherapists can therefore be seen as psychologists with additional training in therapy.
Psychotherapists are also allowed to make diagnoses and, of course, provide therapy, but they cannot prescribe medication. If you require therapy without medication, then a psychotherapist is your first choice.

Self-test: Do I have depression?