While psychiatrists, therapists, and psychologists have distinct roles, all three are mental health professionals dedicated to addressing mental health and behavioral concerns. Therapists provide mental health support for clients who are experiencing major life transitions, grief, or other emotional challenges in a safe and compassionate environment.   Psychologists also provide talk therapy; however, they typically hold more advanced expertise than therapists and can help clients work through long-term anxiety, process traumatic events, and work on healthy coping skills. Furthermore, a notable difference between psychologists and psychiatrists is that psychologists are not medical doctors.   As medical doctors, psychiatrists have the authority to diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medications. Psychiatrists can provide comprehensive care for more complex concerns, including psychosis, developmental issues, eating disorders, and polysubstance use disorders. In addition, psychiatrists treat conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression.   Whether you should work with a therapist, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or more than one of these specialists depends on your unique mental health needs. Your primary care doctor can refer you to the right specialist to address your mental health problems.   For instance, if you need family therapy to address a conflict or relationship counseling to work through communication challenges, a therapist could be the right professional to see. On the other hand, if you are dealing with complex mental health concerns, such as substance use disorder, or require medication management for conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, you should see a psychiatrist. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 3150 Custer Dr Suite 101, Lexington, KY 40517. We serve patients from Lexington KY, Picadome KY, Keene KY, Georgetown KY, Nicholasville KY, Brannon Woods KY, and all other surrounding areas in Kentucky.