Deneen Barriere is a vocational rehabilitation supervisor who is
currently working toward her fourth degree, which she will obtain in
2017. She has more than a decade of professional experience and she
works closely with professionals who specialize in both psychiatry and
psychology. Though businesspersons like Deneen Barriere, with experience
in both fields, understand the differences between psychiatry and
psychology, they often seem misleadingly similar. If you’re confused
about the differences, the points below might clear up common
misconceptions:
- Education – Psychologists hold a doctoral degree, but they are not medical doctors (MDs) as psychiatrists are. Becoming an MD requires graduation from medical school, a year of internship and a three-year residency.
- Approaches – Psychiatrists and psychologists are both trained to practice psychotherapy, but approaches differ based on background training. Psychologists look closely at behavior, on average, whereas a psychiatrist often has a stronger interest in neurochemistry and biology.
- Choosing – Deciding between a career in psychiatry and psychology requires you to consider where your interest in human behavior and helping people stems from. Additionally, you must consider how much time you wish to spend in schooling and where you would like to work. Look at available career options for both professions in your area to get an idea of average pay, responsibilities and work environment.
For those considering a career in either
psychiatry or psychology, speaking with a local business professional
like Deneen Barriere is often a useful approach. These professionals
are typically happy to discuss their careers over coffee or tea to help
new students make educated decisions.
