--- title: What is the difference between a psychiatrist, therapist, and psychiatric nurse practitioner? description: Discover the unique roles of mental health professionals and how they collaborate in your care. --- [Skip to content](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/support/home/what-is-the-difference-between-a-psychiatrist-therapist-and-psychiatric-nurse-practitioner#main-content) [Submit a ticket](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/support/home/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [Login | Sign up](https://customerportal.onebehavioralhealth.com/support?hsLang=en) [![](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/hubfs/OBH-logo.svg)](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/support/home?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Submit a ticket](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/support/home/kb-tickets/new) - [Login | Sign up](https://customerportal.onebehavioralhealth.com/support) - 713-429-5325 713-429-5325 How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [FAQs](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/support/home?hsLang=en) 2. [Treatment](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/support/home/treatment?hsLang=en) January 2, 2025 # What is the difference between a psychiatrist, therapist, and psychiatric nurse practitioner? **What is a psychiatrist?**  A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who focuses on mental health. Psychiatrists assess symptoms, diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medications, and may also provide talk therapy as part of treatment. If you require additional therapy beyond what your psychiatrist offers, they will refer you to one of our therapists, ensuring both professionals work together to support your care. **What is a therapist?**  A therapist is a mental health professional skilled in providing talk therapy. While therapists are not licensed to prescribe medications, they can help you navigate emotional difficulties and develop effective coping mechanisms. At One Behavioral, therapy can be integrated into your treatment plan, but you need to be under the care of a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner first. **What is a psychiatric nurse practitioner?**  A psychiatric nurse practitioner is a healthcare professional who specializes in mental health care. They can assess symptoms, diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and may also offer talk therapy. Similar to our psychiatrists, if your treatment requires more extensive talk therapy, your psychiatric nurse practitioner will refer you to a therapist, and both will coordinate to ensure you receive comprehensive care. - [Appointments](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/support/home/appointments?hsLang=en) - [Telehealth](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/support/home/telehealth?hsLang=en) - [TMS](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/support/home/tms?hsLang=en) - [Spravato](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/support/home/spravato?hsLang=en) - [Billing](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/support/home/billing?hsLang=en) - [Insurance](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/support/home/insurance?hsLang=en) - [Treatment](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/support/home/treatment?hsLang=en) - [Troubleshoot](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/support/home/troubleshoot?hsLang=en) - [Medication](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/support/home/medication?hsLang=en) [![OB-White-Text-Full](https://knowledgebase.onebehavioralhealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/OB-White-Text-Full.png?width=207&height=60&name=OB-White-Text-Full.png "OB-White-Text-Full")](https://onebehavioralhealth.com/) 106 Whispering Pines Suite 103 Friendswood, TX 77546 [mailto:contact@texasbehavioral.com](mailto:contact@texasbehavioral.com) Copyright © 2025, One Behavioral Health