Difference between a psychiatrist, therapist and nurse practitioner

What's a psychiatrist?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health. Psychiatrists evaluate their patients’ symptoms, prescribe medication, and sometimes offer additional talk therapy.

If you need talk therapy beyond what your psychiatrist provides, they will refer you to one of our therapists, and both experts will collaborate on your care together.

What's a therapist?

A therapist is a mental health professional who specializes in talk therapy. While therapists can’t prescribe medication, they can help you explore emotional challenges and develop coping strategies.

At Talkiatry, you can be referred to a therapist as part of your care, but you must already be seeing a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner.

What's a psychiatric nurse practitioner?

A psychiatric nurse practitioner is a medical professional who specializes in mental health. Like psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners can assess their patients’ symptoms, prescribe medication, and sometimes offer talk therapy.

As with our psychiatrists, if you need talk therapy beyond what your psychiatric nurse practitioner provides, they will refer you to one of our therapists, and both experts will collaborate on your care together.