What is the difference between Psychiatry and Psychotherapy?
Psychiatry is a branch of medicine. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders. They can prescribe medication when it is clinically indicated and provide ongoing medical management.
Psychotherapy focuses on discussing thoughts, emotions, and behaviours to support psychological understanding and change. It is delivered by a trained mental health professional and can help people develop coping strategies and improve wellbeing.
In many situations, the most effective care involves a combination of both approaches — medication support from a psychiatrist alongside psychotherapy for longer-term therapeutic progress.