Psychologist vs psychiatrist

College Majors Science Majors
1

<p>I know the difference but I am having trouble choosing which career path to pursue and since i am a transfer student, once i start taking classes i need to focus on one area.. :(</p>

<p>perhaps some psychiatry/psychology people can give me some insight as to why they chose their respective paths? </p>

<p>As much as i hate to say it, it seems like a psychiatrist banks in on money twice as much as a psychologist and money is a concern for me. of course this is just comparing means and there are many factors that could change the pay, but for most cases a psychiatrist is making 150K+</p>

<p>It also seems like psychiatry is a much easier career since you just prescribe medicine with the knowledge you have. the psychotherapy is little to none and you give the patients some pills and call it a day. while a psychologist goes through weeks/months/years of psychotherapy and cannot prescribe meds (unless in the right state). </p>

<p>right now I am leaning towards psychologist but the biggest turn off is the money/time involved to become one is almost the same as a psychiatrist and they are paid twice as much! </p>

<p>any advice?</p>

2

<p>A psychiatrist will have a residency after medical school, so that would involve more time than the Ph.D.</p>

<p>May therapists are also social workers.</p>

3

<p>but doesnt that 4 years eventually get paid off through big pay checks?</p>

4

<p>“right now I am leaning towards psychologist but the biggest turn off is the money/time involved to become one is almost the same as a psychiatrist and they are paid twice as much!”
My comment was in response to the statement above about taking the same amount of time. I am not an expert in salaries.</p>