The difference between psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
There is so much confusion on the difference between psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists in Switzerland (German: Psychiater, Psychologe, Psychotherapeut). Here a little clarification:

Psychologist:

A person that has completed their studies in psychology. They are not trained to to do therapy.

Psychotherapist FSP:

Psychotherapists with this title have a masters in psychology and a recognised 4-year psychotherapy training, that includes extensive supervision and self exploration.

Psychiatrist:

Psychiatrists are medical doctors, who are trained in medical treatment for psychiatric illnesses, not in therapy.

Psychiatrist with the additional title of psychotherapist FMH:

To acquire the additional title of psychotherapists, psychiatrists have to complete a recognised 4-year psychotherapy training that is similar to the one for psychologists but less extensive (for whatever reason ;-).

Generally I would recommend seeing a psychiatrist if you suffer from a long-term psychiatric condition such as depression or psychosis that need medical treatment. If – on the other hand – you are looking to deal with traumatic experiences, eating disorders, social anxiety, self-esteem issues, relationship issues etc., I would recommend seeing a psychologist/psychotherapist or a psychiatrist/psychotherapist.

Psychologist/psychotherapists are not allowed to prescribe medicine.

I hope this clarifies the confusion a little bit.

Good luck.

Dorothe (myself a psychotherapist FSP)

2
Psychiatrists can prescribe medicines, others can't.

3
And what is a psychopath?

4
In English,

A clinical psychologist is trained to do therapy. Usually a masters (if UK trained it may be a PhD) in clinical psychology. The law changed in 2014 regarding the use of the title 'psychologist', but each Canton in Switzerland varies with the law about who can be registered and call themselves a 'psychologist'.

The link is here regarding foreigners who wish to work as psychotherapists or psychologists in Switzerland.

https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home...gieberufe.html

And this is an information paper to download from the SBFI (Swiss here: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...hjFYUeXzwRbken

"Psychology and psychotherapy professions are regulated in Switzerland; therefore, holders of foreign professional qualifications must have these qualifications recognised or verified before beginning to provide services.

Psychology and psychotherapy professions are regulated at both the federal and cantonal levels:

The Confederation regulates access to the psychotherapy profession. In addition, while the Confedera tion only authorises holders of a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in psychology to use the professional title of “psychologist”, it does not regulate access to the psychology profession itself. In other words, anyone wishing to work as a psychologist in Switzerland may do so under federal legislation. The only restriction is on usage of the profess ional title of “psychologist” .

And here is a link about the 2014 changes to the laws for psychotherapists:

https://www.europsyche.org/contents/14411/switzerland

If you want the therapy to be covered by your health insurance, you will need the therapy 'prescribed' for a specific medical condition / mental illness by your doctor.

5
Something you ride a psycho on.

6
Yes, this question of cover by the medical insurance is very important and worth clarifying before you embark on treatment beyond one or two appointments.

In practice, psychotherapy can be offered by a psychiatrist (with the extra qualifications for psychotherapy) or by a psychologist (with the extra qualifications for psychotherapy).

Psychiatrists Doctors are covered by the basic medical insurance.

This includes psychiatrists since, as explained above, a psychiatrist is a doctor.

If the psychiatrist takes you on for psychotherapy , then this, too, will be covered by the basic medical insurance. Psychologists The psychotherapy offered by a psychologist, however, is not automatically covered by the basic medical insurance, though some insurance companies may pay a limited number of sessions, or a certain percentage of the costs, over a limited period of time.

Some psychologists, but not all of them, choose to work in cooperation with a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist delegates the psychotherapy to the psychologist. The psychiatrist sees the patient rarely, just to check up, and prescribes any medication that may be necessary.

Medical insurance companies are more likely to cover the costs of psychotherapy with a psychologist who works "delegated" (in German "die Psychologin arbeitet delegiert") than with a psychologist who works independently.

This system does not, however, mean that you first have to find a psychiatrist. If you find a psychologist first, ask him/her if they work "delegated". If so, they will typically be able to give you the name of a psychiatrist with whom they often collaborate. After some time (perhaps 10 or 20 appointments, or perhaps 6 months or 1 year... this varies from insurance to insurance) the insurance company may ask for a report, usually from the psychiatrist, justifying why treatment should continue.