Friday, October 7, 2016

Cross Examining Psych Doctors - Tip #52-Deciding Between a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist for Medical-Legal Evaluations
The major differences between psychologists and psychiatrists are their training in psychological tests and psychotropic medications.  Psychologists typically have considerably more training and experience in administering and interpreting psychological tests.  Those tests are invaluable in providing data and insights into an individual’s credibility and possible psychopathology.  If you are concerned with the diagnosis of a mental disorder, the psychologist is in a better position to provide objective data concerning the person’s psychological status by using psychological tests.  However, once you know that a person has a specific disorder that is amenable or treatable with medication, the psychiatrist is the person who can intervene to provide that care.

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