Both psychologists and psychiatrists can help you manage depression symptoms.
Psychologists specialize in therapy and can help you understand your depression symptoms and experience through talk therapy. Psychiatrists are trained to help manage depression with both medication and therapy.
The most effective treatment for depression is often a combination of therapy and medication, depending on your specific needs.
It can be confusing to know if you should see a psychologist or a psychiatrist for depression. Both can help you navigate depression, but they offer different treatments. But you don’t necessarily need to choose. Many people benefit from seeing a psychiatrist and a therapist to help them manage depression.
The main difference is that psychiatrists prescribe medication, while psychologists and therapists can’t. But there are also some other important things to consider that might help you decide which mental health provider to see first.
Psychologist vs. psychiatrists: What’s the difference?
Psychologists and psychiatrists are both mental health providers, and both can help you with depression.
Psychologists are doctorate-level (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) mental health providers. Some psychologists work in testing or research. If you're looking to work with a psychologist for depression, you’ll likely be working with a clinical psychologist licensed by the state to provide psychotherapy.
Psychologists offer services like:
Psychoeducation and skill-building for managing depression
Psychological assessments and testing for other conditions
Psychiatrists, on the other hand, are medical doctors (MD) who specialize in mental health treatment. They have a medical license and are able to prescribe you with medication to help you with mental health concerns like depression. Psychiatrists are legally able to offer therapy, but reports show that only around 20% of psychiatrist visits in the U.S. are for therapy. Psychiatric nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who specialize in treating mental illness. Like psychiatrists, they can prescribe medications as well as provide therapy.
Psychiatrists offer services like:
Psychiatric evaluations and diagnosis
Prescribing antidepressant, antianxiety, or mood-stabilizing medications
Therapy
Coordinating care with other mental health professionals
The care you need, when you need it
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Seven questions for choosing between therapy and psychiatry
Medication and therapy — or a combination of both — can be an effective treatment for depression. It’s about finding what works best for you, your life, and your goals. A psychiatrist or a psychologist can help you determine what treatment makes the most sense for you.
Here are some personal considerations to think about when you're trying to decide which provider might be a better fit. Ask yourself these questions:
Am I open to medication?
Some people can't or don't want to take medication for many different reasons. Taking medication for depression is a personal choice. It can be helpful and even life-saving for some people, but it’s not necessarily the best choice for everyone.
If you're not willing to take medication at this time, a psychologist might be a better choice for you.
How long have I been living with these symptoms, and what have I already tried?
Have your depression symptoms come up only recently, or have you been living with them for a long time? It’s possible you've already tried different avenues for managing depression symptoms.
For example, maybe you've been in therapy for some years and are now looking into medication. Or maybe you tried medication in the past and now want to more deeply understand yourself and your experiences. What treatment methods have you already tried, and how helpful were they for you? This can help you decide between a psychologist and a psychiatrist.
Keep in mind that just because a treatment didn’t work for you in the past doesn’t mean it won’t work in the future. Depression treatment can sometimes take a bit of trial and error and finding the right provider fit.
How important is it to me to understand my symptoms and their underlying causes?
Although psychiatrists are legally able to provide therapy, many focus on medication management. If you're wanting to understand what's behind your depression through talk therapy, a psychiatrist may not be able to provide hourly therapy sessions.
Working with a psychologist, or another type of therapist, may be a better choice if you're looking to expand on your self-awareness and gain deeper insight.
Have I experienced trauma or life events that may have contributed to depression?
The causes behind depression are complex and involve environmental and biological factors. Sometimes, differences in the brain can contribute to depression. Other times, life factors — like childhood trauma or a recent change or loss — may have resulted in depression for you.
If you're going through something that’s making you feel depressed, therapy might be more helpful for you than medication. This doesn’t mean that medication can’t help at all, but it could be important to address these underlying factors. A psychologist can provide therapy and help you understand the bigger picture of what's going on.
How much time am I willing to commit to my treatment?
Consider how much time you have available to commit to depression treatment at this time in your life. Psychiatrists may require a longer assessment/evaluation session in the beginning in order to provide a correct diagnosis and start you on the right medication treatment plan. But afterward, you may only need to attend follow-up appointments every few weeks or months.
If you want therapy with a psychologist, this often requires a commitment of around an hour per week (although some therapists may be willing to see you less or more frequently). Therapy for depression is effective, but it can take several months to start working. So if you’re not ready to commit right now, then seeing a psychologist may not be the right choice for you.
Which is more financially feasible for me?
Finances are a concern for many people seeking mental healthcare. It may be worthwhile to look into your insurance, if you have it, and figure out the cost for seeing a psychiatrist versus a psychologist for depression. This might help you make a decision that makes the most sense for your current financial situation.
Is it possible for me to see both?
Research shows the best overall treatment for depression is a combination of therapy and medication. So you may consider if it's possible to see both a psychiatrist and psychologist, as they can both offer beneficial perspectives and treatment approaches. This might be the most effective way to manage your depression symptoms and get back to feeling your best.
One common misconception people have about psychiatric providers is that we only want to prescribe medications to ‘fix the problem.’ In most cases psychiatric providers recommend therapy to help clients develop coping skills to navigate depression symptoms.
Bettina Rodgers RN, MSN-PMHNP
Clinical reviewer
Find care with Rula
Deciding between a psychiatrist, psychologist, or both for depression can be confusing, but understanding your treatment preferences, needs, and financial situation can help you make the best choice. Regardless of the route you take, it’s possible to manage depression symptoms with the right support.
At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.
Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we're here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.
Saya Des Marais
Saya graduated with her Master in Social Work (MSW) with a concentration in mental health from the University of Southern California in 2010. She formerly worked as a therapist and motivational interviewing trainer in community clinics, public schools, mental health startups, and more.
Her writing has been featured in FORTUNE, GoodRX, PsychCentral, and dozens of mental health apps and therapy websites. Through both her clinical work and her personal OCD diagnosis, she’s learned the importance of making empathetic and accurate mental health content available online.
She lives in Portland, Oregon but you can find her almost just as often in Mexico or in her birthplace, Tokyo.
Bettina Rodgers RN, MSN-PMHNP
Bettina is a board certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 21 years of experience as a Registered Nurse specializing in mental health. Her background includes extensive work in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care, crisis intervention, and patient education. She has received advanced training in psychopharmacology and mental health leadership. She is dedicated to promoting overall wellness through a holistic, patient-centered approach.
Bettina is passionate about mental health because it allows her to have honest, down-to-earth conversations and truly connect with people on a deeper level. Outside of work, she loves traveling to new countries with her sister — and sharing those adventures with others. For Bettina, mental healthcare is about meeting people where they are, building trust, and helping people find their way forward.
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Rula's editorial team is on a mission to make science-backed mental health insights accessible and practical for every person seeking to better understand or improve mental wellness.
Members of Rula’s clinical leadership team and other expert providers contribute to all published content, offering guidance on themes and insights based on their firsthand experience in the field. Every piece of content is thoroughly reviewed by a clinician before publishing.
