What's the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Many: A psychiatrist, like me, is a medical doctor. I went medical school for four years after completing four years of college. Then, i was resident (a physician in training) for five more years-to become a child psychiatrist for a total of 13 years after high school. A psychologist has a phd in psychology-in most cases.

Psych.: Another one is that a psychologist can do psychological testing battery & some can do neuro-psychologic testing. Psychiatrists can perform psychotherapy, depending on their training & orientation, & prescribe medications.

Therapy vs meds: Speaking very generally, most psychologists hold either a PhD or a PsyD degree (I hold both) and practice psychotherapy. Psychiatrists hold either an MD or a DO degree, and they prescribe psychotropic medications, and generally do not do all that much therapy these days, but years ago psychiatrists would do both.

Medical School: A psychologist has a doctorate in psychology which is their main focus. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has attended medical school and has been trained in all areas of medicine. At the end of that training they attend a residency program to specialize in psychiatry. Since psychiatrists are medical doctors they can also prescribe medications.