Psychiatry and psychology...?

Medicine and psychology are both arts, although we like to think of them as "sciences." Psychiatry and psychology have the same goal: to change behavior, but they approach it from slightly different perspectives, depending on the clinicians training. Both practice "talk therapy" which is effective in helping people thought many but not all problems. My experience is that psychiatrists rely more on medications (anti-anxiety meds, anti-depressants ,etc.) but many psychiatrists do see patients regularly and d on't just prescribe magic pills (some do). Most clinical psychologists are not licensed to prescribe medications (but with special training 4 states allow PHD level psychologists prescription privileges). Do both types of clinicians have success? Yes. Are they always successful? No. There are some mental illnesses that just do not improve with medication (although it may hide some signs and symptoms), psychotherapy (talk therapy) or both. For example, a significant percentage of clinically depressed patients to not respond to medications and no psychotic (schizophrenic) gets better from talk therapy. I cannot speak to people in any profession that are in it for the money. Be realistic, we all go to work to earn money. Many clinicians focus on a specialty rather than see any type of patient. If you like helping people, explore your interests. MD (psychiatry) requires 4 yrs college, 4 yrs med school, 2 years residency. PHD (psychology) requires 4 years college, 4 years graduate school and 1-2 years post-doctoral internship. Start off with a few psychology courses in college. Med schools require chem, bio, math, physics preparation, so you have to start that route no later than your second year. Good luck