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