Psychologist vs Psychiatrist

[Culverin]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the difference between the 2?
And how are they positioned within the BC Healthcare system?

[Energy]

Psychiatrists are medical doctors and psychologists are not. The suffix "-iatry" means "medical treatment," and "-logy" means "science" or "theory." So psychiatry is the medical treatment of the psyche, and psychology is the science of the psyche.

Source: webmd

[B!tch]

a psychiatrist can prescribe medications whereas a psychologist cannot.

a psychiatrist if referred by your GP will be covered by MSP whereas a psychologist will run you about $100 - $250 per hour but may be covered by your extended health plan from work.

see: Getting Help for Mental Disorders | Here to Help, A BC Information Resource for Individuals and Families Managing Mental Health or Substance Use Problems

excellent website if you or someone you know needs some help.

(sidenote: if you do not have the $ for your prescriptions ask your GP about plan G)