How to Choose a Mental Health Specialist? What’s the difference between a psychologist, neuropsychologist, psychotherapist, and psychiatrist?
Many people confuse these professions in daily life. In reality, each of them plays a specific role in mental healthcare — both for adults and children. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right kind of support when it’s truly needed.
1. Psychologist
A psychologist holds a degree in psychology and works with emotions, behavior, and personality development.
What they do:
- Individual consultations for adults and children
- Testing and emotional health assessments
- Support with relationships, adaptation, anxiety
- Help during stress or life changes
- Child psychologists support emotional regulation, behavior, self-esteem, adaptation to kindergarten or school
? Cannot prescribe medication, but may work with a psychiatrist if needed.
2. Neuropsychologist
A specialist trained in understanding how the brain affects behavior. Holds a psychology degree with additional neuropsychology training.
What they do:
- Assessment and therapy of cognitive functions (attention, memory, speech, thinking)
- Work with children facing learning or focus challenges
- Support after injuries, strokes, or in neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g., ADHD, ASD)
- Brain function stimulation exercises
- Cooperates with neurologists for deeper diagnosis
? Does not prescribe medication but is vital in neuro-rehabilitation.
3. Psychotherapist
A psychologist or doctor with additional multi-year training in psychotherapy.
What they do:
- Works with deep trauma, anxiety, depression, crises
- Offers long-term therapy (months to years)
- Uses various methods (CBT, Gestalt, psychoanalysis, etc.)
- Child psychotherapists support emotional and behavioral disorders, fears, attachment issues, psychosomatic symptoms
? Cannot prescribe medication but can refer to a psychiatrist.
Important: Psychologists, neuropsychologists, and psychotherapists do not prescribe medication — that is the psychiatrist’s role.
4. Psychiatrist
A medical doctor specialized in psychiatry.
What they do:
- Diagnoses and prescribes medication
- Treats conditions like depression, anxiety, psychosis, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia
- Can work with children (e.g., anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum)
- Sometimes combines medication with psychotherapy (if trained)
? The only professional legally allowed to prescribe medication.
How to choose the right professional?
- Stress, anxiety, communication issues — psychologist or psychotherapist
- Recurrent emotional problems — psychotherapist
- Disturbing symptoms affecting daily life — psychiatrist or psychotherapist
- Medication or diagnosis needed — psychiatrist
- Memory, attention, cognitive issues — neuropsychologist
Each of these specialists plays an important role. Sometimes the best results come from teamwork: the psychiatrist provides medical treatment, while the psychotherapist offers deep psychological support. Choosing the right specialist is the first step toward caring for your mental health.
? What are therapy sessions like at Moja Rodzina?
You can get professional support from psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists at our clinic.
? Therapy sessions take place at:
? ul. Obrzeżna 7, Warsaw (UA HUB, rooms 119 and 221)
? Psychiatric consultations take place at:
? ul. 29 Listopada 18a/4, Warsaw
(The psychiatrist may also see patients at Obrzeżna 7 — confirm when booking.)
? How to book a session? ? www.klinikamojarodzina.pl
? +48 729 855 896
? Instagram: @moja_rodzina
? Facebook: Moja Rodzina
With care for you and your child ❤️
The Moja Rodzina Clinic Team
