You’ve hit an especially demanding stretch of work. With your oldest child applying to colleges, financial concerns are keeping you up at night. You get a voicemail from your father-in-law saying he broke his hip. And to top it all off, your chronic heartburn has just taken a turn for the worse.

Suddenly, you realize you are on the verge of experiencing unmanageable levels of anxiety. Who do you turn to for help and guidance to get through all of this? Should you talk to a psychiatrist? A psychologist? A therapist?

“The terms get confused a lot,” says Jessica Mitchell, Ontario County Mental Health Department supervising psychologist. “A lot of people think they have the same meaning.”

Understanding the difference in the three specialties can help you make a better decision about who you or your loved ones will seek help from when the need arises.

Similar But Not the Same

Psychiatrists and psychologists have similar fields of study, Mitchell says. Both study the brain—its emotions, feelings, thoughts and behavior. And both provide a diagnosis of mental and emotional disorders, as well as substance abuse disorders. The primary difference lies in the educational requirements and backgrounds of study.

A psychiatrist is a board-certified medical doctor trained to evaluate both mental and physical symptoms of psychological disorders. According to the American Psychological Association, in addition to earning a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine degree, they also have specialized training in psychiatry. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications, and their work with clients can include a combination of treatments, including talk therapy and medications.

“Psychiatrists do a combination of medication and psychotherapy, but for most, medication is their primary treatment,” Mitchell says.

A psychologist will also have a doctoral degree, including a doctor of philosophy, doctor of psychology or doctor of education. Psychologists focus on studying ethics, individual differences, and behavior on biological and cognitive-affective bases. They also are trained in psychological assessment therapy.

Psychologists use talk therapy to treat psychological conditions and have a background in the scientific method.

“Some psychologists research human behavior, while others use research to explore strategies to treat a particular psychological condition,” Mitchell says.

“Folks like myself, a clinical psychologist, I’ll refer to research to decide what treatments are the most effective, or have been tested, to help me decide the best course of treatment for a patient’s particular problem.”

As of 2014, only psychologists practicing in Louisiana, New Mexico and Illinois are allowed to prescribe medications, but they must acquire additional education and training in clinical psychopharmacology and pass a certified exam.

Therapists are a broader umbrella for professionals who are trained in a variety of treatments. Think social workers or marriage, family, school, and vocational counselors.

These individuals have a separate educational background specific to these fields, including master’s and doctorate degrees in psychology, marriage and family therapy, social work, and counseling. According to HumanServicesEdu.org, which provides information on the Human Services profession, counselors use a behavioral approach to therapy.

How Do You Choose?

Which you choose really depends on the severity of the problem, the diagnosis and the individual who needs help. Psychiatrists and psychologists, or therapists, often work together in the treatment of patients.

“All are important. A licensed professional helps you navigate your best course of action. We all start with an evaluation and come up with a plan that involves either treatment or a referral,” Mitchell says. “Many conditions are best served with therapy. Other conditions, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and ADHD, require medication and therapy. ”

Mitchell says many people feel most comfortable talking to their primary care doctor, and consequently, many of the clinic’s referrals come from physician’s offices.

She emphasizes the importance of having a family or primary care doctor.

“To take care of your mental health, your physical health has to be in check,” Mitchell says. “Primary care or family physicians can also help bridge the gap in mental health as psychiatrist availability is often limited outside of urban areas.”