Clinical psychiatrists help patients with mental, social, and behavioral disorders through therapy, medication, and behavior modification. They need a medical degree and a residency in mental health. They can prescribe medication and may specialize in a specific area of mental health. They must have a medical license and local mental health certification. They may work in private practice, hospitals, or research universities.
A clinical psychiatrist works with patients to help overcome social, mental, and behavioral disorders through therapy, behavior modification, and prescription medication. Individuals interested in this profession must complete an advanced degree in medicine and complete a medical residency focused on treating mental health disorders. This type of position might be used in a private practice, hospital, or research university.
Training to become a clinical psychiatrist usually involves completing high school and a four-year pre-med college degree in biology. Once these entry-level qualifications are met, the prospective student can proceed to obtain a medical degree. To advance from practicing general medicine to focusing specifically on psychiatry, a student must complete four years of residency in a mental health medical program. Psychiatrists can then choose to further their expertise, if they so choose, in a specific area of mental health, such as pediatrics, adolescents or geriatrics, and can complete an additional two or more years working in that specific field.
A clinical psychiatrist is usually able to prescribe medication to his patients due to his medical degree. Psychiatrists differ from psychologists in this area in that psychologists generally focus on behavior modification and are unable to require their patients to take medication. Psychiatrists also use different therapy techniques and behavior modification, but are able to supplement these different types of treatment with medication when necessary.
To practice in a given area, a clinical psychiatrist must have a medical license and local mental health certification. A medical license is usually obtained from the regional medical authority, such as a state or national board. Local certification to specifically practice psychiatry is available through national agencies that are recognized and accepted by the employer. For example, in the US, practicing psychiatrists need to be certified by the American Psychiatric Association.
Psychiatrists may choose to practice medicine privately or be part of a larger mental health organization. Doctors often open a practice together and each specializes in a different area of mental health. They may also use different techniques to engage their patients, such as individual sessions or group therapies. Working in this type of environment is often beneficial for psychiatrists, as they can refer patients to each other if it becomes apparent that each patient’s needs are outside their area of expertise.
Physicians may choose to work in research and university settings. Many research clinics are affiliated with larger universities from which they receive funding. Psychiatrists employed in this type of role often assume a variety of responsibilities, which may include meeting with individual patients, teaching students enrolled in university psychiatry courses, and conducting research. Research areas can range from behavioral studies in specific disorders to chemical interactions for new behavior modification drugs.
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