What distinguishes a psychologist from a psychiatrist?

The distinction between a psychologist and a psychiatrist primarily lies in their training and scope of practice regarding medication management and treatment approaches. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed medical school and a residency in psychiatry. This medical training allows them to prescribe medications as part of their treatment plans for mental health disorders.

In contrast, psychologists typically hold a doctoral degree in psychology and focus primarily on providing therapy and counseling, conducting psychological assessments, and diagnosing mental health conditions. While they are trained to identify and diagnose mental disorders, they do not generally have the authority to prescribe medications, except in certain jurisdictions where additional training and licensure may allow it.

Thus, the ability of psychiatrists to prescribe medications is a key factor that differentiates them from psychologists, making this choice the correct answer.