The key difference
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats mental illness and can prescribe medication. A psychologist is not a medical doctor, but is trained to assess thinking, behaviour and emotion using validated tests.
Instruct a psychiatrist for
- Mental illness such as psychosis, bipolar disorder or severe depression
- Diminished responsibility and insanity
- Fitness to plead findings
- Hospital order recommendations
Instruct a psychologist for
- Intellectual functioning and learning disability
- Suggestibility and reliability of interview
- Autism and ADHD assessment
- Communication needs and intermediaries
When you need both
Complex cases often benefit from both. A psychologist’s test results can support a psychiatrist’s opinion on fitness to plead or culpability. Tell us the questions and we will advise on the right combination.
General information for solicitors. Not legal advice.