Difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist

Written and professionally reviewed by Felix Enghoff Klich, authorised psychologist, and Martin Bergholtz, doctor in specialist training in psychiatry
Last updated: October 2026

If you are experiencing mental health difficulties or are considering a psychiatric assessment, it can be hard to know whether you should contact a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Both professions work with mental health, assessment and treatment, but their training and professional competences differ.

In short, a psychiatrist is a doctor who has specialised in psychiatry, while a psychologist has a university degree in psychology and particular knowledge of people's thoughts, emotions, behaviour, development and mental health difficulties.

An important difference is that doctors can prescribe medication, while psychologists cannot. On the other hand, clinical psychologists have extensive training and experience in psychological examination, diagnostics and psychotherapeutic treatment.

It is also a common misconception that only a psychiatrist can make a psychiatric diagnosis. An authorised clinical psychologist can also assess and make psychiatric diagnoses within their area of competence.

What is a psychiatrist?

A psychiatrist is a qualified doctor who, after medical school, has completed specialist training in psychiatry.

The psychiatrist therefore has both medical and psychiatric training and can assess mental symptoms in relation to, among other things, physical health, illness and medical treatment.

A psychiatrist can, among other things:

• carry out psychiatric and medical assessments
• assess and make psychiatric diagnoses
• assess the need for medical treatment
• prescribe and adjust medication
• monitor effect and any side effects
• assess physical health in relation to the treatment
• decide on the need for, for example, blood tests, blood pressure, pulse or ECG
• assess the interaction between mental symptoms, physical illness and other medication.

Psychiatrists may also have competences in psychotherapy. In many courses of treatment, however, the psychiatrist's special role will be the medical assessment and any medical treatment.

What is a psychologist?

A psychologist has completed a university degree in psychology and holds the title cand.psych. The degree covers, among other things, human development, personality, cognition, emotions, relationships, mental disorders, psychological examination and treatment.

An authorised psychologist has in addition completed the required practice and supervision to obtain authorisation.

Clinical psychologists work with, among other things:

• clinical and diagnostic consultations
• psychological and psychiatric assessment
• diagnostic interviews
• psychological tests and questionnaires
• differential diagnostic assessments
• psychotherapy
• psychoeducation
• assessment of level of functioning
• developmental history and how symptoms have developed over time.

A psychologist can thus examine, diagnose and treat a range of mental disorders. However, the psychologist cannot prescribe prescription medication.

Can a psychologist make a psychiatric diagnosis?

Yes. An authorised clinical psychologist can assess and make psychiatric diagnoses within their area of competence.

It is therefore a misconception that a psychiatric diagnosis must always be made by a psychiatrist.

Clinical psychologists work with diagnostic assessment and can use, among other things, clinical consultations, structured diagnostic interviews, psychological tests, observations and information about the person's developmental history and level of functioning.

In, for example, an ADHD or autism assessment, the evaluation is not only about whether a certain number of symptoms are present. An overall clinical assessment is made of, among other things:

• which symptoms are present
• when the symptoms began
• how the symptoms have developed throughout life
• how they affect the person's everyday life and level of functioning
• whether the symptoms are better explained by other mental or physical factors
• whether other mental health difficulties are present at the same time.

The difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is therefore not that one can make diagnoses and the other cannot.

Both professions can work with diagnostics. The difference lies first and foremost in their educational background and particular areas of competence.

The psychiatrist is a specialist doctor and can therefore make medical assessments and prescribe medication. The clinical psychologist has particular expertise in psychological examination, diagnostics and psychotherapeutic treatment.

What are the main differences between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Although psychologists and psychiatrists both work with mental disorders, they come from different professional traditions.

Education

A psychologist has a university degree in psychology. A psychiatrist is a qualified doctor who has subsequently completed specialist training in psychiatry.

Diagnostics

Both clinical psychologists and psychiatrists can work with psychiatric assessment and make diagnoses within their respective areas of competence.

Medication

Psychologists cannot prescribe medication. Prescribing prescription medication requires medical authorisation.

Psychological examination

Clinical psychologists have particular expertise in psychological examination methods, clinical consultations, diagnostic interviews and psychological testing.

Medical assessment

The psychiatrist can carry out medical examinations and assess whether symptoms or treatment should be seen in connection with physical illness, other medication or other biological factors.

Psychotherapy

Psychologists often work with psychotherapeutic courses of treatment. Psychiatrists can also work with psychotherapy, but in many courses will mainly be responsible for the psychiatric and medical part.

Psychologist or psychiatrist for ADHD?

If ADHD is suspected, both psychological and medical competences can be relevant.

An ADHD assessment is about much more than filling in a questionnaire. Among other things, it must be examined whether there have been persistent difficulties with attention, impulsivity and possibly hyperactivity throughout life.

It is also important to assess whether the symptoms have been present since childhood, whether they cause real functional impairment, and whether other factors better explain the difficulties.

An authorised clinical psychologist can carry out an ADHD assessment and make an ADHD diagnosis when it lies within the psychologist's professional area of competence.

The assessment may include, among other things:

• a thorough clinical consultation
• developmental history
• structured diagnostic interview
• assessment of symptoms in childhood and adulthood
• information from relatives, when relevant and possible
• assessment of level of functioning
• differential diagnostic assessment.

If medical treatment for ADHD is wanted after the assessment, a doctor must be involved. Here, among other things, physical health, other medication and any factors that may affect the choice and safe use of the medication are assessed.

Treatment of ADHD does not have to consist only of medication either. Psychoeducation and psychotherapeutic treatment can, for example, be relevant when working with structure, planning, emotional regulation, self-understanding and the consequences ADHD may have had throughout life.

Psychologist or psychiatrist for autism?

An authorised clinical psychologist can also assess and make an autism diagnosis when the psychologist has the necessary competences in the area.

If autism is suspected, a large part of the assessment will typically concern the person's developmental history and persistent patterns in, among other things, social communication, relationships, interests, need for predictability and sensory reactions.

In adults, the picture can be complex. Some have for many years developed strategies to compensate for or hide their difficulties. This is sometimes referred to as masking or camouflaging.

Autistic traits are therefore not necessarily apparent in an ordinary conversation.

An autism assessment may include, among other things:

• thorough developmental history
• clinical consultation
• diagnostic interviews
• relevant psychological examination methods
• information from parents or other relatives, when possible
• assessment of level of functioning
• differential diagnostic assessment.

It is also important to examine other possible explanations for the symptoms. ADHD, anxiety, OCD, depression and other mental health issues can both resemble certain aspects of autism and occur together with autism.

An autism diagnosis should therefore always be based on an overall clinical assessment rather than the result of a single test or self-test.

Psychologist or psychiatrist for anxiety, OCD and depression?

For anxiety, OCD and depression, the choice of professional depends, among other things, on the nature and severity of the symptoms and what treatment is needed.

If the main purpose is psychotherapeutic treatment, a psychologist will often be a natural place to start.

Psychological treatment can work with the thoughts, emotions, behaviour patterns and avoidance strategies that help maintain the symptoms.

In OCD, treatment may, for example, consist of exposure and response prevention (ERP), while other evidence-based psychotherapeutic methods can be used for, among other things, anxiety and depression.

If the symptoms are severe, if previous treatment has not had sufficient effect, or if medical treatment needs to be considered, a medical assessment may also be relevant.

For some, psychotherapy will be sufficient. For others, a combination of psychotherapy and medical treatment may be relevant.

When should I choose a psychologist?

A psychologist can be a good place to start if you, for example:

• want a psychological or diagnostic assessment
• suspect ADHD or autism
• want psychotherapy
• experience anxiety, OCD, depression or other mental health difficulties
• want to understand your thoughts, emotions or reaction patterns better
• need psychoeducation after a diagnosis
• want concrete strategies for handling difficulties in everyday life.

You do not necessarily need to know in advance which diagnosis may lie behind your difficulties.

An initial consultation can be used precisely to examine the symptoms broadly and assess what the next step should be.

When is a medical or psychiatric assessment relevant?

A medical assessment is particularly relevant if:

• you want to explore the possibility of medical treatment
• you already take psychiatric medication that needs to be reviewed or adjusted
• physical factors need to be examined in connection with the treatment
• other medication or physical illness may affect the symptoms
• a medical assessment is needed as part of an overall psychiatric course
• you experience side effects from medical treatment.

In some situations it will be relevant to involve both a psychologist and a doctor.

The advantage of a multidisciplinary course

Psychologists and doctors in psychiatry have different professional competences, and that is precisely why they can complement each other.

The psychologist can, for example, be responsible for the detailed mapping of developmental history, symptoms, level of functioning and differential diagnostic considerations.

The doctor can contribute the medical assessment and decide on medical treatment, if relevant.

This can create a more coherent course in which assessment and subsequent treatment are planned together.

At Nordisk Psykiatri, psychologist and doctor work closely together. When needed, a course can therefore go from initial evaluation and assessment to psychoeducation, psychotherapy or medical treatment.

Do I need a referral?

It depends on where you seek treatment.

In parts of the public health service and for treatment with public subsidy, a referral from your GP may be required.

Nordisk Psykiatri is a private clinic, and you do not need a referral from your GP to contact us or start a private course.

You can therefore contact us yourself if, for example, you want an initial evaluation or suspect ADHD or autism.

What if I do not know who I need?

It is completely normal not to know in advance whether your difficulties are best assessed by a psychologist, a psychiatrist or in a multidisciplinary course.

Many mental symptoms overlap.

Concentration problems can, for example, occur in ADHD, but also in anxiety, depression, sleep problems or long-term strain. Social exhaustion and difficulties in social situations can be associated with autism, but can also be seen in, among other things, social anxiety.

The purpose of a thorough initial evaluation is therefore not necessarily to confirm the diagnosis you suspect yourself.

The purpose is to understand the overall symptom picture and assess which assessment or treatment makes the most sense.

At Nordisk Psykiatri you can start with an initial consultation, where we go through your current difficulties, your history and your wishes for a possible course.

Psychologist and doctor in one place at Nordisk Psykiatri

At Nordisk Psykiatri in Copenhagen, an authorised clinical psychologist and a doctor in psychiatry work together on assessment and treatment.

We offer, among other things, assessment for ADHD and autism as well as evaluation and treatment of other mental health issues.

The psychological and diagnostic assessments are carried out by an authorised psychologist. When a medical assessment or medical treatment is needed, the doctor can be involved in the course.

The advantage of this approach is that the different parts of a course can be planned together from the beginning.

After an assessment, the next step may, for example, be psychoeducation, psychotherapy, concrete strategies for everyday life or medical treatment, depending on the individual's needs.

The goal is not only to arrive at a possible diagnosis, but to create an understandable overall assessment and a concrete plan for what happens next.

Also read: psychiatric assessment, medical treatment with a doctor, private psychiatrist in Copenhagen and ADHD, anxiety and depression.

Frequently asked questions

Can a psychologist make a psychiatric diagnosis?

Yes. An authorised clinical psychologist can assess and make psychiatric diagnoses within their area of competence. It is therefore not correct that psychiatric diagnoses can only be made by psychiatrists.

Can a psychologist make an ADHD diagnosis?

Yes. An authorised clinical psychologist with the relevant competences can assess and make an ADHD diagnosis. If medical treatment is subsequently wanted, this part of the course requires a doctor.

Can a psychologist make an autism diagnosis?

Yes. An authorised clinical psychologist with relevant competences can carry out an autism assessment and make an autism diagnosis on the basis of an overall clinical and diagnostic assessment.

What is the biggest difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

The fundamental difference is the education. A psychologist is trained in psychology, while a psychiatrist is a doctor who has subsequently completed specialist training in psychiatry. Both can work with diagnostics, while the doctor also has medical competences and can prescribe medication.

Can a psychologist prescribe ADHD medication?

No. Psychologists cannot prescribe prescription medication. Medical treatment must be provided by a doctor.

Should I choose a psychologist or psychiatrist for ADHD?

It does not have to be either-or. A clinical psychologist can carry out the diagnostic assessment and make an ADHD diagnosis, while a doctor must be involved if medical treatment is to be considered afterwards.

Can a psychiatrist also offer talking therapy?

Yes. Psychiatrists may also have competences in psychotherapy. In practice, however, many longer psychotherapeutic courses are provided by psychologists, while the psychiatrist's particular competence is, among other things, the medical and pharmacological assessment.

Do I need a referral to Nordisk Psykiatri?

No. Nordisk Psykiatri is a private clinic, so you can contact us yourself without a referral from your GP.

Who should I contact if I am unsure?

If you do not know what kind of help you need, an initial consultation can be a good place to start. Here we can go through your symptoms, your history and your current situation and on that basis assess what a relevant next step could be.

Sources

• Danish Patient Safety Authority (Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed). Authorisation of health professionals. stps.dk
• Danish Patient Safety Authority (Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed). Register of authorised health professionals. stps.dk
• sundhed.dk. The Danish public health portal. sundhed.dk