Sometimes psychiatric consultation is recommended as an adjunct to counseling at the Student Counseling Center. Evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse-practitioner will be recommended if your intaker or your therapist suspects that medical factors may be contributing to your problem or that medication might be helpful in alleviating your distress. Psychiatrists have medical knowledge, as well as knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional difficulties.
Psychiatrists prescribe medicine.
Psychologists do not prescribe medicine. The UT Student Health Service has one psychiatrist and one psychiatric nurse-practitioner on its staff. You may be referred to either of them. For a number of students, referral to a private psychiatrist is more appropriate. For example, if you will be leaving school shortly, you probably will be referred to a private psychiatrist.