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Clinical Psychologist Vs Psychiatrist: Salary, Courses & Job Profile
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  • Clinical Psychologist Vs Psychiatrist: Salary, Courses & Job Profile

Clinical Psychologist Vs Psychiatrist: Salary, Courses & Job Profile

#Psychiatry
Irshad AnwarUpdated on 01 Dec 2025, 02:57 PM IST

Both clinical psychologists and psychiatrists have important roles in mental health care, but their training, skills, and treatment methods differ significantly. Clinical psychologists focus on therapy, counselling, and understanding emotional and behavioural patterns, while psychiatrists diagnose mental illnesses and prescribe medication when needed. Though both careers aim to improve mental well-being, their approaches and areas of expertise are distinct.

This Story also Contains

  1. Clinical Psychologist vs Psychiatrist: Course Comparison
  2. Clinical Psychologist vs Psychiatrist: Career Opportunities and Job Roles
  3. Clinical Psychologist vs Psychiatrist: Final Career Advice
Clinical Psychologist Vs Psychiatrist: Salary, Courses & Job Profile
Clinical Psychologist Vs Psychiatrist

For students considering a career in mental health, understanding these differences is important for selecting the right path. Many aspirants are unsure about what each profession actually involves, which often leads to confusion. This article provides a clear overview of the differences between clinical psychologists and psychiatrists and highlights how they differ in roles, training, and practice.

Clinical Psychologist vs Psychiatrist: Course Comparison

Both psychologists and psychiatrists study the same subject of mental health, but their approaches to the subject are very different. Both Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists help people with mental health problems, but they have different training and jobs. Here is a table showing the main differences between these two careers:

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FeatureClinical PsychologistPsychiatrist

Education & Duration

  • 5-6 years total

  • BA/B.Sc in Psychology

  • MA/M.Sc

  • M.Phil/PhD in Clinical Psychology

  • 8.5 years total

  • MBBS (4.5 years + 1-year internship)

  • MD/DNB in Psychiatry (3 years)

Eligibility

  • 10+2 (any stream) for BA/B.Sc

  • Graduate in Psychology for a postgraduate

  • 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology for MBBS

  • MBBS degree for MD/DNB Psychiatry

Admission Process

  • Merit-based or entrance exams for UG/PG

  • National-level entrance for M.Phil (e.g., NIMHANS)

Course Fees

₹20,000 – ₹2,00,000 per year (varies by institution and level)

₹50,000 – ₹10,00,000 per year (varies by institution)

Main Responsibility

  • Assessment and diagnosis

  • Non-pharmacological therapy (counselling, psychotherapy)

  • Diagnosis and treatment

  • Management of mental disorders (including medication)

Subjects

  • Psychology

  • Clinical Psychology

  • Psychotherapy

  • Counseling

  • Research Methods

  • Anatomy

  • Physiology

  • Psychiatry

  • Pharmacology

  • Medicine

  • Neurology

Tools & Techniques

  • Psychological assessments

  • Counseling methods

  • Therapy frameworks

  • Medical diagnostic tools

  • Psychotropic medications

  • ECT

  • Clinical assessments

Job Roles

  • Provides psychotherapy

  • Counseling

  • Psychological evaluations

  • Diagnose mental illnesses

  • Prescribes medication

  • Provides medical treatment and therapy

Starting Salary (India)

₹3 – ₹5 lakh per annum (varies by location and experience)

₹8 – ₹12 lakh per annum (varies by hospital, location, and experience)

Higher Education

  • M.Phil/PhD in Clinical Psychology

  • Specialized fellowships

  • Research opportunities

  • Super-specialisation (DM)

  • Fellowships

  • Research in psychiatry

Clinical Psychologist vs Psychiatrist: Career Opportunities and Job Roles

Both clinical psychologists and psychiatrists are important in the mental health care industry, but they have distinct career paths, work environments, and prospects. Here are some basic details related to career opportunities to help you understand and compare these professions in 2025.

Career Opportunities for Clinical Psychologists

Demand for clinical psychologists is rising due to increased awareness of mental health and stress-related issues. Opportunities are rising in tele-counselling and online therapy. After completing a Clinical psychology course an individual can work in:

  1. Hospitals (psychiatric and general)

  2. Mental health clinics

  3. Private practice (counselling centres)

  4. Rehabilitation centers

  5. NGOs and community health programs

  6. Schools and colleges (as counsellors)

  7. Research institutions

  8. Corporate wellness programs

Job Roles For Psychologists

  1. Clinical Psychologist

  2. Counseling Psychologist

  3. Child Psychologist

  4. School/College Counsellor

  5. Rehabilitation Specialist

  6. Researcher in psychology/mental health

  7. Behavioural Health Consultant

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Career Opportunities for Psychiatrists

The demand for psychiatrists is high due to a shortage of qualified professionals in India. Psychiatrists are needed in both urban and rural areas, especially in government health programs. Psychiatrists can work in:

  1. Government and private hospitals (psychiatric and multispecialty)

  2. Mental health clinics

  3. Private practice

  4. Rehabilitation and de-addiction centres

  5. Research and academic institutions

  6. Telemedicine and online consultation platforms

  7. Correctional facilities and military services

Job Roles for Psychiatrist

  1. Psychiatrist (General)

  2. Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

  3. Geriatric Psychiatrist

  4. Addiction Psychiatrist

  5. Forensic Psychiatrist

  6. Consultant Psychiatrist

  7. Academic/Research Psychiatrist

Clinical Psychologist vs Psychiatrist: Final Career Advice

Choose clinical psychology if you enjoy therapy, counselling, and working closely with people to solve emotional and behavioural problems. This profession suits those interested in research, education, or community health.

Choose a psychiatry course if you want to become a medical doctor specialising in mental health, with the power to prescribe medication and manage complex cases. This occupation is ideal for those seeking clinical administration and a higher earning potential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What can a psychiatrist do that a clinical psychologist cannot do?
A:

A psychiatrist can prescribe medicines, diagnose using a medical approach, and treat severe psychiatric disorders. Clinical psychologists cannot prescribe medicines and mainly provide therapy and psychological assessments.

Q: Can a clinical psychologist be called a doctor?
A:

A clinical psychologist with a PhD or PsyD can use the title “Dr.” academically. However, they are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medication.

Q: Is a clinical psychologist better than a psychiatrist?
A:

Both have different roles. Psychiatrists treat mental health conditions using medication, while clinical psychologists focus on therapy and behavioural treatment. The choice depends on the patient’s needs.

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Questions related to Psychiatry

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to Psychiatry ?
what is the neet pg 2024 cutoff rank for MD psychiatry in GMC goa?

Hey ya ,

The cutoff rank of neet pg for MD psychiatry in GMC Goa are as follows -

For general category it ranges around 5931 rank  in round one .
In round 2nd it is around 5969 and for the detailed and appropriate cutoff detail you can visit there website or can contact to them  directly thankyou .

Read Complete Answer
P
Pragati Mehrotra
3 Sep'25
please give the list of colleges for studying MD/DNB in psychiatry. The colleges should be city based well connected by air.

Hello,

There is the list according to your query

  • All India Institute of Medical College
  • National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences
  • Spandana Nursing Home
  • Masina Hospital
  • HBT Medical College and Dr. R. N. Cooper Municipal General Hospital
  • Amrita School of Medical Science

I hope it will clear your query!!

Read Complete Answer
R
Rahul Mandal
24 Aug'25
I am an fmge student with EWS and I am from AP state. I got neetpg rank 86551. I want colleges which accept my rank. I want psychiatry as my branch. So, I want to know which colleges will accept my rank and their fee

With NEET PG rank 86,551, MD Psychiatry in government colleges is very unlikely, but you have reasonable chances in private or deemed universities such as JSS Mysore, S.D. Urs Kolar, or MGM Aurangabad, which have witnessed Psychiatry closing ranks in the 50,000–55,000 range; these institutes typically charge 10–25 lakh annually.

Read Complete Answer
R
Rithwik Kumar Sahu
20 Aug'25
College ( government college) wise last rank and marks in neet PG for MD chest medicine and psychiatry seat in West Bengal. Need data for 2024 neet pg

Hello there,

Here are the NEET PG 2024 closing ranks and marks for MD Chest Medicine (Pulmonary Medicine) and MD Psychiatry in government medical colleges in West Bengal :

MD Chest Medicine (Pulmonary Medicine) – Government Colleges

  • Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata :

    • Round 2 Closing Rank : 10450

    • Category : EWS (Economically Weaker Section)

    • Marks : Not specified

  • Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER), Kolkata :

    • Round 1 Closing Rank : 5510

    • Category : General (UR)

    • Marks : Not specified

  • Burdwan Medical College :

    • Round 2 Closing Rank : 4782

    • Category : General (UR)

    • Marks : Not specified

  • Command Hospital EC, Alipore, Kolkata :

    • Round 1 Closing Rank : 4729

    • Category : General (UR)

    • Marks : Not specified

      MD Psychiatry – Government Colleges

  • Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata :

    • Round 1 Closing Rank : 5510

    • Category : General (UR)

    • Marks : Not specified

  • Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER), Kolkata :

    • Round 1 Closing Rank : 83810

    • Category : General (UR)

    • Marks : Not specified

  • School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata :

    • Round 1 Closing Rank : 101647

    • Category : SC (Scheduled Caste)

    • Marks : Not specified

  • Institute of Child Health, Kolkata :

    • Round 1 Closing Rank : 71560

    • Category : General (UR)

    • Marks : Not specified


Note : The exact marks corresponding to these closing ranks are not specified in the available sources. For precise information, it's advisable to refer to the official NEET PG 2024 seat allotment results or contact the respective medical colleges directly.


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, feel free to share your questions with us, and we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.


Read Complete Answer
K
kumardurgesh1802
14 May'25
Hi, I'm currently pursuing PhD in clinical psychology after completion can I do MD in psychiatry or DPM in Karnataka? Thank u, I'm eagerly waiting for your reply..

Hello,

In India, after completing a PhD in Clinical Psychology , you cannot directly pursue an MD in Psychiatry or Diploma in Psychological Medicine (DPM) because:

  1. MD Psychiatry Eligibility – Requires an MBBS degree from an MCI-recognized institution and NEET-PG qualification. A PhD in Clinical Psychology is not an alternative pathway .
  2. DPM Eligibility – Also requires an MBBS degree and NEET-PG.
  3. Alternative Options – You can practice as a clinical psychologist or pursue postdoctoral research .
  4. If You Want to Become a Psychiatrist – You must complete MBBS first and then qualify for MD Psychiatry/DPM .

Hope it helps !

Read Complete Answer
P
Prachi Kumari
8 Feb'25
View all

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