Psychiatry vs Psychotherapy vs COACHING
Significant Differences:
Similarities
What Are The Differences Between A Psychiatrist, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychotherapist & A Health Coach?
The main difference is the amount of training and degrees held, but there are benefits to seeing both.
A psychiatrist is a Medical Doctor (an M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in psychiatry, the medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders. They can perform laboratory evaluations, conduct physical exams, prescribe medication if needed, and offer medical advice, psychotherapy, and psychiatry services. Our psychiatrists often receive more training in diagnosing mental illness vs medical illnesses
A psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse, who specializes in psychiatry services. At Regional Psychiatry, they differ from Medical Doctors in that they complete a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), followed by an additional 2-5 years of training completing either a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Like Psychiatrists, they can perform laboratory evaluations, conduct physical exams, prescribe medication if needed, and offer psychotherapy and medical advice. Similarly, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner's often receive more training in diagnosing mental illness vs medical illnesses when compared to that of psychotherapists.
Conversely, a psychotherapist can hold an array of other degrees, such as Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). A psychotherapist is not a medical doctor and cannot prescribe medicine, however, they are often more trained in carrying out various forms of psychotherapy.
A Health Coach helps people achieve a higher level of intellectual, social, physical, spiritual, occupational, and emotional well-being, specifically when change is difficult. More specifically, a health coach is trained to approach patients with an open mind toward helping them clarify their goals and set their own path to reaching them. Though there is not a legally required, national certification standard like there is for other kinds of clinicians, there is an independent governing body called the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC).
What are some examples of psychotherapy exercises?
Psychotherapy uses psychological exercises to help the individual change behavior and overcome desired problems. Some examples of these exercises include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Assertiveness Training, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness. These are exercises used by both psychiatrists and psychotherapists to help patients achieve mental wellness.
Why see a health coach vs. a psychiatrist vs. a psychotherapist?
Psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychotherapists, and coaches go hand in hand. They work together to help achieve wellness goals for the client. While our psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists have a shared knowledge about psychological processes and how stress and trauma impact the nervous system, health coaches collaborate & facilitate a motivating atmosphere through the use of tools like visioning, goal-setting, mindfulness, and accountability. Collectively, they develop a treatment plan that best serves the client’s needs. Additionally, sessions with psychotherapists and health coaches tend to be more frequent compared to that of psychiatrists and nurse practitioners.
Areas of Expertise
- Addiction(s)
- ADHD
- Adolescent Mental Health
- Alcohol & Substance Use
- Anger Management
- Anxiety
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Autoimmune conditions
- Bipolar Disorder
- Bereavement
- Body image issues
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Chronic pain
- Complex PTSD
- Depression
- Disorders
- Divorce
- Eating Disorders
- Exercise
- Gambling
- Gastric Bypass
- Hoarding
- Insomnia
- Learning Disabilities
- LGBTQ+
- Lifestyle modification
- Medication Management
- Military Personnel
- Nutrition
- Obsessive Compulsive (OCD)
- Obesity
- Parenting
- Panic Attacks
- Personality Disorders
- Psychosis
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Relationship issues
- Schizophrenia
- Sexual Abuse
- Sleep
- Suicidal Ideation
- Transgender / Gender Reassignment
- Trauma
- Weight Management
- Wellness (Optimization of Wellbeing)
The Psychiatry Difference at Regional Psychiatry
At Regional Psychiatry, sessions with our Psychotherapists (LCSW, LMHC) are typically 1 hour meetings where various psychological methods are implemented to help change behavior and overcome desired problems. Regional Psychiatry Psychotherapists are also trained in Integrative/ Holistic techniques (Botanicals, Vitamins, Supplements, Nutrition, CBD, which may be utilized during sessions in complement to conventional techniques. Similarly, Psychiatrists at Regional Psychiatry have a more holistic approach to mental wellbeing and typically look for ways outside of simply prescribing medication to help heal and promote wellness. We are committed to finding the best psychiatry services for you. Call our team to learn more about the treatment plans we offer.
Significant Differences:
Similarities
Significant Differences:
Similarities
1. Psychiatrists are medical doctors, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, Psychotherapists & Health coaches are not
2. Psychiatrists & Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners prescribe medication, Psychotherapists & Health coaches can not
3. Psychiatrist are often more trained in diagnosing and distinguishing between mental illness vs medical illness
4. Psychotherapists are often more trained in carrying out various forms of psychotherapy as defined above
5. Sessions with psychotherapists are typically more frequent
1. All of the above practitioners work together to help achieve wellness goals for the client
2. All value the impact that stress ,trauma, underlying medical conditions, and disrupted lifestyle has on the brain & body impacting the way we think, feel, function, and perform.
1. Psychiatrists are medical doctors, Psychotherapists are not
2. Psychiatrists prescribe medication, Psychotherapists can not.
5. Sessions with psychotherapists are typically more frequent.
1. Both work together to help achieve wellness goals for the client
2. Both have knowledge about psychological processes and how stress and trauma impact the nervous system.
Independence. Resilience. Wellness.
We work with each patient to customize a personalized treatment plan. Our practice has the experience and training to improve your overall health and wellness.
