Often, when asked the difference, people will confuse the Psychiatry and Psychology professions. Even more often people will go so far as to say they are interchangeable. While these two professions can overlap and do have many similarities, they are not the same. In this paper I will focus on three main points of comparison between both practices. These points will be Education and Licensure requirements, Objective of Practitioners, and Focus of their fields.
According to the American Psychological Association website Psychology is defined as "... a diverse discipline, grounded in science, […] nearly boundless applications in everyday life. Some psychologists do basic research, developing theories and testing …show more content…
While attending medical school these medical doctors are trained in pharmacological studies, including the types, uses, and proper dosage for patients. These students study the body including the organs, bones, blood, lymphatic and neurological structures and functions. They are trained in numerous diseases and how injuries or abnormalities affect the whole system, including the mental and emotional states. Students are required to attend college, then medical school with a standard curriculum, and obtain a medical degree (MD) with a full year in medical internship. These students must train in no less than six specialties before deciding on their practice. Then the practitioner must have three additional years of oversight under another physician in the Psychiatry field before they can work with and treat patients on their own. (Rehagen, T. …show more content…
Different states and institutions will have different requirements. Although, it is advised that you thoroughly research the accreditation requirements for the specialty you wish to focus on, or career plans you aspire to. Psychiatry requirements are generally the same nation wide, as these doctors are well regulated on a national scale. The overall objectives for these careers do overlap in some areas. Although, the approach can vary by many points. The Clinical Psychologist will typically focus on the patterns of psychological behavior and utilize non-medicinal solutions for patient care. These treatments often range from spiritual guidance and meditative practices to recommendations for physical exercise and record keeping to find the cause or trigger for behaviors or emotions. The Psychologist will often try to find the root cause of behaviors or feelings and teach the patient how to retrain their mind towards more beneficial