Well in the US:

Psychotherapy is a broad term to basically capture any type of therapy - where it is an evidence-based therapy or absolute bunk (unfortunately). Someone calling themselves a psychotherapist practices therapy but their degree is not in the field of psychology or psychiatry (otherwise they would call themselves a psychologist or psychiatrist).

Psychoanalyst is someone who practices a sub-type of psychotherapy called "psychoanalysis." Again, this could really be any credentials and if the individual is a psychologist or psychiatrist, s/he is going to describe themselves as psychologist or psychiatrist. So if all you see is "psychoanalyst" typically they have training in that field of psychotherapy but may not necessarily be a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Psychologist:

A psychologist is someone who has acquired a doctoral degree recognized by the APA's models for psychology, these include the Ph.D., the Psy.D., and the Ed.D., with the type of degree typically determining the types of sub-specialties one will perform. Only a psychologist can call her/himself a psychologist - this is enforceable by state penalties if someone claims to be a psychologist and does not possess the degree.

Psychologists who treat patients must also be licensed and they can cover a variety of sub-specialties (clinical, forensic, health, developmental, sports, etc.). For example:

A Clinical Psychologist (a Ph.D. or a Psy.D.) is a sub-specialty that has had the academic, research, and clinical preparation to treat the full range of mental disorders in adults and children. This typically includes 6-8 years of academic, research, and clinical practice, a clinical internship (similar to a medical residency), and a post-doctoral fellowship of 1-2 years before being licensed to see patients independently. Clinical Psychologists deliver talk-based therapies, conduct assessments, conduct psychological testing, etc., within the clinical realm, but also can serve in research, academic, public policy, leadership, etc. roles depending on degree and experience. There are some Clinical Psychologists with prescription privileges which is allowed in Guam, New Mexico, and maybe one more state - typically high needs/low access to care areas.

I should add that some states recognize master's level psychologists, usually called psychological associates, depending on the state.

Psychiatrist:

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) that also delivers treatment to the full range of mental disorders in adults and children. Psychiatrists, being MD's, can prescribe medication. Due to the medical system here in the US, most psychiatrists exclusively prescribe and rarely deliver psychotherapy even though many want to and recognize the need for psychotherapy (as the saying goes: "pills don't build skills"). Just like psychologists, only a psychiatrist can call herself/himself a psychiatrist. Also like psychology, there are many sub-specialty fields (e.g., neuropsychiatry, etc.).

Hope this helps - I agree that it can be confusing and I often find myself providing this info to patients of mine to help them understand as well.

The answer goes for Finland as follows: Psychiatrists are medical doctors and are specialized in psychiatry. They can describe drugs. Psychologists cannot yet although they study psychopharmacology. Psychologists are studying in the science of the psyche about 5-6 years (M.A.) and then specialized during 4 years in clinical psychology. They can also hold a PhD in psychology (minimun education 12 years). Licensing are made from the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health. Psychoanalysis is based on the psychodynamic theory and differs from psychotherapy in that the clients attend analysis 4-5 times pro week and are on the couch. The average time for othodox psychoanalysis in Finland is now 7 years. You cannot become a psychoanalyst without your own psychoanalysis. Whether the psychoanalyst has his/her basic education in psychiatry or psychology he/she is not prescribing medication if needed to his/her own clients. Another doctor is doing that. Psychoanalysis is a chance for personal growth but the focus is not laid on the symptoms; however, they "fall off" under the process.

Psychotherapy can be done from different views. You can also become a psychotherapist from other professions than the two mentioned such as nursing.

The main psychotherapy forms are dynamic and cognitive. Cognitive therapy is a goal oriented short-term treatment for a specifik problem (4-5 to 12 times 1,5 h a week) Supportive psychotherapy is given 1h pro week, analytic therapy 2h pro week. In general medical doctors are better paid.

Health care professionals must possess the language skills adequate to the performance of their duties. Employers may require prospective employees to present a language certificate in proof of this. The official languages of Finland are Finnish and Swedish.

Good wishes!

What is the difference among a Psychologist, a Clinical Psychologist, a Psychotherapist, a Psychiatrist, and a Psychoanalyst?

In Poland, you must complete a 5-year-long university programme to obtain M.A. in psychology. Psychologists can work in varies areas (Human Rescources, schools, work environment, business, marketing, coaching, healthcare). They specialize in a given area. They are allowed to perfom psychological diagnosis, apply psychological tests, provide counselling. All psychologists (only those who hold an M.A. degree can use this title) can enrol further training to become clinical psychologists. The traing is focused on developing clinical skill and includes months of practice at different hospital units, follewed by a practical exam.

Psychotherapist is another profession associated with proving a talking therapy to individuals reporting a variety of symptoms. People must complete a training in psychotherapy. Most programmes are ca. 5 years in length. They learn a particula modality for 4 years and obtain a general knowlege of other modalities in the 5th year. Most candidates enroling psychotherapy schools are doctors or psychologists. However, it is also possible for representatives of other professions, holding a Masters degree in humanities or social sciences, do the training. However, there may be special requirements for them if they want to apply for a certificate in psychotherapy. Psychotherapists are allowed to diagnose and offer treatment.

Psychiatrists are doctors who completed their general medical training (6 years) and then completed another 5-year programme focused on psychiatry and did multiple internships during that time. After having completed the whole training and passing a series of exams, they hold special qualifications - we call them "specialists in psychiatry". In the same way, someone can become a diabetologist, oncologist, etc. In Poland, only doctors are allowed to prescribe medicines.

Finally, a Psychoanalyst is a practitioner of psychoanalysis - a unique modality of treatment. Similartly to other modalities in psychotherapy, the training is long and complex. People who enrol psychoanalytical training are often doctors or psychologists, although many psychoanalytical schols also attract other professions. Psychoanalists can provide psychoanalytical therapy or psychoanalysis. One can distinguish between these two. The former refers to providing healthcare services to patients who report certain symptoms, and seek treatment. Psychoanalysis as a method, however, can also be applied to those who do not report clinical symptoms, but would like to develop a better inshight into their psyche, unconscious mechanisms, etc.

This is how it works in Poland. I hope it was helpful.

All the best!

Igor

Dear Gabriele,

In Germany and Switzerland, the situation is similar to the situation in Poland:

- Psychiatrist: Medical School (6 y), then resident training as a psychiatrist (5 y in Germany, 6 y in Switzerland) including postgraduate training in psychotherapy (2-4 years, parallel to clinical work in hospitals) --> Specialist in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. Can prescribe medication.

- Psychologist: University degree (M.A./Diploma/MSc) in Psychology, independent of psychotherapy training. Does not imply specific knowledge in clinical or other patient-related fields. Can be followed by psychotherapy training, making you a

- Psychological Psychotherapist (in Germany): Psychologist with additinal postgraduate training in psychotherapy (3y).

- Clinical Psychologist: Psychologists that specialise in mental health, and has done a further training after university in clinical psychology.

- Psychotherapist: In Germany, this can be also someone with another degree (nursing, social worker, medical doctor working as a GP, ...), who did thereafter a postgraduate training in psychotherapy. Can prescribe medication if trained as a medical doctor. Otherwise not. There are currently two "schools" of psychotherapy in Germany (CBT, Psychodynamic therapy/Psychoanalytic therapy - but always focused on disorder) accepted by the Health Insurers, in Switzerland additionally systemic therapy.

In Germany and Switzerland, the term "Psychoanalyst" does not exist on its own. It is usually a Psychotherapist with a psychoanalytic (or psychodynamic) focus. This term is in Germany and Switzerland not legally protected (the others are).

Hope this helps.

Dear Igor and Dear Annette,

this surely helps, and i would be curious to receiving answers about the situation in the rest of the world by others, or of any specifications (isn't there a specific training for psychoanalysts in Germany?).

But i would also be curious about what these figures actually do, and how would you explain this 'to my grandma', that is to average patients...

Thank you Beatrice too...sorry.

:)

Training for psychoanalysts in Germany: Yes, you can choose a psychoanalytic psychotherapy training (similar in Switzerland, too), which includes at least a small, in many cases a complete analysis for the therapist (eventually this is even more the case in Switzerland).

How to explain it to your grandma?

Ok, point 1: If you need medication (e.g. for depression or schizophrenia) -->go to a psychiatrist

Point 2: In many cases, a combination of medication and psychotherapy is the optimal treatment. This means, that you might get psychopharmacological treatment from the psychiatrist and in most cases she will send you to a psychotherapist (mostly a psychologist) for the psychotherapy. This means then either to find out where you could change your dysfunctional, disordered thinking and behaviour (e.g. avoiding the cellar because of the spiders if you are spiderphobic) in a way that makes it easier for you to get through your life (such as experiencing that spiders are not dangerous at all, and that the anxiety diminishes if you just stand it, which means that you can again enter all rooms and don't need anyone in your life to help you) if the therapist is a CBT therapist. Or it could mean to discover the meaning of these fears and to have a look what else this could communicate, which problems in the relationship to the husband could be hidden beneath it, ... and the expectation is that by discovering and maybe solving the underlying problems also the other problems (the actual symptoms) dissolve...

Does this help?

Well in the US:

Psychotherapy is a broad term to basically capture any type of therapy - where it is an evidence-based therapy or absolute bunk (unfortunately). Someone calling themselves a psychotherapist practices therapy but their degree is not in the field of psychology or psychiatry (otherwise they would call themselves a psychologist or psychiatrist).

Psychoanalyst is someone who practices a sub-type of psychotherapy called "psychoanalysis." Again, this could really be any credentials and if the individual is a psychologist or psychiatrist, s/he is going to describe themselves as psychologist or psychiatrist. So if all you see is "psychoanalyst" typically they have training in that field of psychotherapy but may not necessarily be a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Psychologist:

A psychologist is someone who has acquired a doctoral degree recognized by the APA's models for psychology, these include the Ph.D., the Psy.D., and the Ed.D., with the type of degree typically determining the types of sub-specialties one will perform. Only a psychologist can call her/himself a psychologist - this is enforceable by state penalties if someone claims to be a psychologist and does not possess the degree.

Psychologists who treat patients must also be licensed and they can cover a variety of sub-specialties (clinical, forensic, health, developmental, sports, etc.). For example:

A Clinical Psychologist (a Ph.D. or a Psy.D.) is a sub-specialty that has had the academic, research, and clinical preparation to treat the full range of mental disorders in adults and children. This typically includes 6-8 years of academic, research, and clinical practice, a clinical internship (similar to a medical residency), and a post-doctoral fellowship of 1-2 years before being licensed to see patients independently. Clinical Psychologists deliver talk-based therapies, conduct assessments, conduct psychological testing, etc., within the clinical realm, but also can serve in research, academic, public policy, leadership, etc. roles depending on degree and experience. There are some Clinical Psychologists with prescription privileges which is allowed in Guam, New Mexico, and maybe one more state - typically high needs/low access to care areas.

I should add that some states recognize master's level psychologists, usually called psychological associates, depending on the state.

Psychiatrist:

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) that also delivers treatment to the full range of mental disorders in adults and children. Psychiatrists, being MD's, can prescribe medication. Due to the medical system here in the US, most psychiatrists exclusively prescribe and rarely deliver psychotherapy even though many want to and recognize the need for psychotherapy (as the saying goes: "pills don't build skills"). Just like psychologists, only a psychiatrist can call herself/himself a psychiatrist. Also like psychology, there are many sub-specialty fields (e.g., neuropsychiatry, etc.).

Hope this helps - I agree that it can be confusing and I often find myself providing this info to patients of mine to help them understand as well.