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Psychologists can play an important role in helping people manage mental health concerns, but knowing whether to see a psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist can be confusing. These professionals have different training, responsibilities, and approaches to care, so understanding the difference can help you choose the right support in Nigeria.
While seeking mental health assistance may not seem to be too complicated at first sight, the first barrier encountered when most Nigerians attempt to find a solution is the confusion over how to go about doing so. The search produces a series of job titles that may appear similar, but in reality have little in common with each other: psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, counselor, psychotherapist. Lack of knowledge of what exactly each of these specialists does results in the inability to choose a suitable professional.
This article describes the main differences between the mental health practitioners which you might come across in Nigeria, helping you make an informed choice.
What Does a Psychiatrist Do?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor; he or she has gone through full medical training before specialising in mental illness. The biggest difference is that since they are doctors, psychiatrists are able to prescribe drugs and no other mental health professional is allowed to do so.
Should your problems involve drugs such as severe depression, bipolar, schizophrenia or any illness that requires the management of chemicals in the brain then the psychiatrist is the professional for you. The psychiatrist will be able to make a diagnosis, assess and prescribe drugs but usually will refer you to a therapist for psychological counseling along with the drugs.
Going to see a psychiatrist does not mean that there is anything really wrong with you or that you are very sick. It only means that your problem has a biological aspect which can be helped by drugs. In Nigeria, psychiatrists work in teaching hospitals, private clinics and some mental health websites.
What Does a Psychologist Do?
The clinical psychologist is a doctor of psychology who is qualified to diagnose mental disorders. However, he or she is not authorized to prescribe any medication unlike the psychiatrist, but the area of his or her specialization is therapy and psychological evaluation.
If you are struggling with issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, bereavement, relationship problems, or behavioral patterns that you cannot change yourself, then the psychologist is just what you need. CBT, psychodynamic, or trauma therapies can be used by a psychologist when treating you.
In Nigeria, the professional association like NACP (Nigerian Association of Clinical Psychologists) performs voluntary registration of psychologists instead of statutory licensing.
What Does a Therapist or Counsellor Do?
This is where the confusion lies, since “therapist” does not refer to one specific profession. Counsellors are specialists whose approach involves solving particular problems while that of therapists revolves around applying psychotherapy to address recurring patterns.
A therapist/counsellor is the type of professional that individuals need for the majority of issues. If one is experiencing anxiety, low self-respect, burnout, conflicts, bereavement, work stress, or just life-related stress, a licenced therapist/counsellor will offer him/her structured and confidential support.
They do not have a prescription of drugs and they usually do not conduct psychological testing, but for the majority of problems that Nigerian citizens experience daily, the therapist will be the right choice.
Psychologist vs Psychiatrist vs Therapist: Who Should You See?
This is how you can think about it:
In case you think you need medication or your symptoms are causing a serious disruption of your functioning, go to a psychiatrist.
In case you want an assessment, a diagnosis or a structured therapy for a complicated or longstanding problem, go to a psychologist.
In case you have problems with anxiety, depression, stress, relationships, loss or emotional issues that influence your life in a negative way, go to a therapist or a counselor.
The plain truth is that majority of Nigerians who are thinking of going to therapy for the first time really need a therapist, not a psychiatrist. The myth of having to go under the knife because of taking the step is one of the main reasons why people avoid therapy.
Why Blueroomcare Makes It Easy
One of the biggest obstacles when it comes to accessing mental health care in Nigeria is knowing where to begin. Blueroomcare solves that problem for good. By signing up to use the platform, you will be matched to a therapist whose speciality, methods, and schedule suit you — so you do not have to worry about that yourself.
All therapists on Blueroomcare are fully licensed, screened, and have experience in treating the problems that Nigerians face on a daily basis. Should you need more advanced medical care, you will be taken care of too.
You do not have to know exactly what you need before you get in touch. You only need to start
- Need support? Start your care journey by booking a confidential therapy session and accessing daily journaling and wellness check-ins through the Blueroomcare App.
- Looking for more guidance? Explore our blog for more mental health tips.
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