Specialises in mental health problems. Disability Old Age Psychotherapy Psychologist Not medically qualified, may have a psychology degree, a Ph.D - or neither. Specialises in the way the mind works and motivation. Psychotherapist Not usually a doctor, but can be. Psychotherapy uses talking therapies to help patients help themselves.
Psychiatrists can specialise in psychotherapy during training.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, who specialises in the care and treatment of people with mental health problems. Psychiatry is a medical specialty, though it also draws on the social sciences, i.e. sociology and psychology. As a qualified psychiatrist, you would be authorised to prescribe drugs, and would probably be called upon to treat the more serious mental illnesses. A psychiatrist may or may not also be a psychotherapist. During training, psychiatrists can choose to specialise in psychotherapy which is based on a variety of 'talking treatments' including cognitive, behavioural, psychoanalytic and psychodynamic therapies.