Do I Need a Psychiatrist or a Therapist? How to Know Which Is Right for You

Authored by Dr. Nina Parikh, Psychiatrist at Lucid Psychiatry in Las Vegas, Nevada

If you are struggling with your mental health, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Many people ask the same question when they finally decide to seek support: Do I need a psychiatrist or a therapist?

Both psychiatrists and therapists play an important role in mental health care, but they are not the same. Understanding the difference can help you choose the right type of support and feel more confident taking the next step.

As a psychiatrist in Las Vegas, I often meet patients who waited months or even years to reach out simply because they were unsure who to contact. My goal with this article is to help clarify the differences, explain how psychiatry and therapy can work together, and guide you toward the type of care that best fits your needs.

Understanding the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and a Therapist

At a high level, psychiatrists and therapists both help people manage mental health conditions, emotional challenges, and life stressors. The way they do that, however, is different.

What Is a Psychiatrist?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O) who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Psychiatrists attend medical school and complete specialized training in psychiatry. Because of this medical background, psychiatrists are able to evaluate both the psychological and biological aspects of mental health.

At Lucid Psychiatry, we provide adult psychiatry as well as care for children and adolescents. A children’s psychiatrist has additional training in how mental health conditions present differently in younger patients, including how development, family dynamics, and school environments play a role.

Psychiatrists can:

• Diagnose mental health conditions

• Prescribe and manage psychiatric medications

• Evaluate how physical health, sleep, hormones, or medications may affect mental well-being

• Provide ongoing medication management and monitoring

• Coordinate care with therapists, primary care providers, and specialists

If you are searching for a psychiatrist in Las Vegas because symptoms feel persistent, intense, or confusing, psychiatry may be an important part of your care.

What Is a Therapist?

A therapist is a trained mental health professional who provides talk therapy, also called psychotherapy. Therapists may be psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, or marriage and family therapists. While their education and licensing vary, therapists focus on helping patients explore thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and coping strategies.

Therapists typically:

• Provide regular talk therapy sessions

• Help patients process emotions and experiences

• Teach coping skills and stress management techniques

• Support behavior change and emotional growth

• Work with individuals, couples, or families

Therapy can be incredibly effective for managing stress, improving relationships, processing trauma, and building emotional resilience.

When Therapy Alone May Be Enough

Many people benefit greatly from therapy without needing psychiatric treatment. You may want to start with a therapist if:

• You are experiencing situational stress such as relationship issues, work stress, or life transitions

• You want support processing emotions or past experiences

• Symptoms are mild to moderate and not significantly affecting daily functioning

• You prefer a non-medication approach and want to build coping skills first

Therapy provides a safe, supportive space to talk openly and develop tools that can improve mental and emotional health over time.

When It May Be Time to See a Psychiatrist

There are certain situations where seeing a psychiatrist can be especially helpful.

You may want to consider seeing a psychiatrist if:

• Symptoms are persistent, severe, or worsening

• Anxiety, depression, mood changes, or attention issues are interfering with work, school, or relationships

• You are experiencing panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, or emotional numbness

• Sleep problems, appetite changes, or low energy are ongoing

• You have tried therapy but symptoms have not improved

• You are wondering if medication might help but want expert guidance

Psychiatric evaluations are not about rushing to medication. They are about understanding the full picture of your mental health and determining what options may support your goals and quality of life.

Can You See a Psychiatrist and a Therapist at the Same Time?

Yes, and for many patients, this combined approach works best.

Therapy and psychiatry often complement each other. Therapy helps patients understand patterns, emotions, and behaviors, while psychiatry addresses the medical and biological factors that may be contributing to symptoms.

For example:

• A patient with anxiety may benefit from therapy to develop coping skills and from medication to reduce physical symptoms

• A child struggling with attention issues may work with a therapist while also seeing a children’s psychiatrist for diagnostic clarity and treatment planning

• An adult with depression may find that therapy feels more effective once symptoms are stabilized through medication

At Lucid Psychiatry, we frequently collaborate with therapists to ensure care feels coordinated and intentional.

What Happens During a Psychiatric Evaluation?

One common concern I hear is fear of the first appointment. A psychiatric evaluation is a conversation, not an interrogation.

During an initial visit, we discuss:

• Current symptoms and concerns

• Medical history and medications

• Sleep, stress, and lifestyle factors

• Personal and family mental health history

• Goals for treatment and care preferences

From there, we work together to determine next steps. This may include therapy referrals, lifestyle recommendations, medication options, or simply monitoring symptoms over time.

Choosing the Right Mental Health Support in Las Vegas

Finding the right provider matters. If you are searching for a psychiatrist in Las Vegas, it is important to choose a practice that values thoughtful care, collaboration, and patient education.

Mental health care should not feel rushed or transactional. Whether you are seeking adult psychiatry, support for your child, or clarity about next steps, you deserve care that feels personalized and respectful.

Lucid Psychiatry 

If you are unsure whether you need a psychiatrist or a therapist, you are not alone. The most important step is reaching out. Mental health care is not one-size-fits-all, and the right approach often evolves over time.

If symptoms feel manageable and situational, therapy may be a great place to start. If symptoms are persistent, complex, or affecting daily life, a psychiatric evaluation can provide clarity and options.

At Lucid Psychiatry, our goal is to meet you where you are and help you move forward with confidence.

If you are considering working with a psychiatrist in Nevada or California, we invite you to reach out and learn more about how we can support you. Get started here.