Psychotherapy vs Psychology vs Psychiatry

Navigating the mental health system in Ontario is difficult enough! That’s before you add in wait times, insurance coverages, OHIP, referral requirements, and managing your own life! We often get calls at the Culminate Group asking for psychiatric services. While we don’t provide psychiatry, we take every one of those calls seriously, as it is our mission to get you connected to both the best possible care and the right care for your needs. Not everyone needs a psychiatrist and often, psychotherapy can support other forms of care you’re receiving. Whatever your need, we can support you in connection to the right resource while providing mental health support with one of our skilled psychotherapists.

If you’re looking for mental health supports, you’ve likely encountered a variety of different terms, qualifications, and barriers already. In Ontario, psychotherapy, psychology, and psychiatry are distinct but related fields within mental health care, each with different roles, educational paths, and scopes of practice. If you’re navigating Ontario’s mental health system and looking for the right care for your needs, there are a few resources for you to take into consideration.

Here is the breakdown

Psychotherapy

• Role: Psychotherapy involves talk-based therapy to help individuals manage emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues. Therapists use evidence-based techniques to promote mental health and well-being.
• Practitioners: Psychotherapists (like Registered Psychotherapists or social workers) are the primary providers.
• Professionals from different backgrounds (e.g., Registered Psychotherapists, social workers, psychologists) can provide psychotherapy, depending on their training.
• Regulation: In Ontario, psychotherapists must be registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
• Education: Requires a relevant graduate degree and training in psychotherapy (e.g., clinical psychology, social work).
• Scope: Focuses on non-medical interventions like CBT, DBT, Narrative Therapy, etc.

Psychology

• Role: Psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions through psychological testing, therapy, and research. They work on understanding cognitive, emotional, and social processes in patients.
• Practitioners: Registered Psychologists or Psychological Associates (depending on education level).
• Regulation: Psychologists in Ontario must be registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO).
• Education: A doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) is required to become a psychologist, while psychological associates may have a master’s degree. Training includes both clinical practice and research.
• Scope: Can diagnose mental health disorders, provide psychotherapy, and conduct psychological assessments. Psychologists do not prescribe medications.

Psychiatry

• Role: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses through a combination of psychotherapy, medications, and medical management.
• Practitioners: Psychiatrists (MDs) are licensed medical professionals.
• Regulation: Psychiatrists must be licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).
• Education: Psychiatrists complete a medical degree (MD), followed by a residency in psychiatry.
• Scope: Can diagnose mental health disorders, provide psychotherapy, and prescribe medications. Psychiatrists are often involved in more severe mental health cases requiring medical interventions.

Key Differences

• Education: Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs), psychologists typically hold doctoral degrees (PhDs or PsyDs), and psychotherapists hold master’s degrees.
• Scope: Only psychiatrists can prescribe medications, while both psychologists and psychotherapists provide talk therapy. Psychologists can diagnose, while most psychotherapists cannot formally diagnose without additional qualifications.
• Regulation: Each profession is regulated by its respective college in Ontario (CRPO, CPO, CPSO).

Together, these professionals work within an interdisciplinary framework to provide comprehensive mental health care.  Oftentimes, psychotherapy compliments the assessments you may receive from a psychologist or works collaboratively with your psychiatrist when implementing treatment plans.  I tend to see psychotherapy as providing clients with a consistent and supportive base of care, as you work through life’s challenges.  Call/text/email today to find out how therapists at the Culminate Group can support your mental health needs.