Psychologist / Psychiatrist
Lyonsie - I can understand your confusion.........I work in the adult psychiatry and within the service itself there is often confusion about who's who and who does what. Incidentally I am a graduate member of The British Psychological Society and a State Registered Art Psychotherapist. Here goes!
A psychiatrist is a medically trained doctor who has additional extensive experience and additional training in psychological illness (the MRCPsych Training - details here [broken link removed] ). Psychiatrists work exclusively within the public sector and the work has a substantial legal dimension. Psychiatrists prescribe medications and have powers of restraint under various Mental Health Acts.
Confusion arises due to the fact that many - though by no means all - psychiatrists also 'add a string to their bow' by training in various 'brands' of the psychological therapies including psychotherapy. The only way to find this out is by the letters after their name or by asking them.
A psychologist ,or 'clinical psychologist', is a 4-year university academic and practical, hospital-based training (Masters level) covering all aspects of human behaviour. Psychologists do not have authority or training to prescribe medication nor do they have powers to detain individuals on Section under the Mental Health Acts. You can find a psychologist here:- [broken link removed]. Like psychiatrists, many clinical psychologists find their role of testing competence, cognitive functioning, intelligence etc. restricting and most have also trained in cognitive-behavioural therapies, or psychotherapy, or counselling. They are almost exclusively employed within the public health sector and university teaching.
There is a further group - the psychological therapists including psychotherapists, art psychotherapists and counsellors. These are also university trainings, often at Masters level (my own qualification is undergraduate psychology BSc followed by Masters + postgraduate clinical training at a major UK university). Psychological therapists/psychotherapists work in the public sector or private practice. These are in process of becoming state regulated.
Psychiatrists assess and diagnose; they rarely work regularly or long-term with an individual. Psychologists may see an individual for a one-off test or specific assessment or for time-limited work e.g. 6 sessions of CBT around a specific trauma or issue, 12 weeks counselling etc. Psychotherapists/psychological therapists/counsellors assess and diagnose but may also engage individuals in long-term work involving the 'whole person'.
The best thing is to ask questions and find out about the background and qualifications/specialism of the person or people you find/are referred to. The codes of conduct and ethical standards of all the professional regulatory bodies of these folk require practitioners should be accessible and transparent to clients/patients. It might be useful if before contacting a psychologist you have another chat with your CMO and find out what her idea is of what you need.
Hope this helps, and all the best with sorting things out.