Translation guide
A medical doctor specializing in mental health, who can prescribe medication. In Japanese, the term is often distinguished from clinical psychologists and counselors.
精神科医
psychiatrist
To refer to a licensed physician who diagnoses and treats mental disorders, often with medication.
Standard term for a psychiatrist. Literally 'mental department doctor'. Used in medical contexts and everyday conversation.
彼は精神科医です。
He is a psychiatrist.
精神科医に相談したほうがいいですよ。
You should consult a psychiatrist.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'doctor of psychiatry'. Slightly less formal than 精神科医.
精神科の医者を探しています。
I'm looking for a psychiatrist.
Loanword from English. Rarely used; may be understood in some contexts but sounds unnatural.
Avoid using this; 精神科医 is the natural choice.
彼はサイキアトリストだと言われている。
He is said to be a psychiatrist.
To clarify the difference between a psychiatrist (medical doctor) and other mental health professionals.
In Japan, these roles are distinct. 精神科医 prescribes medication; 臨床心理士 provides psychotherapy but cannot prescribe; カウンセラー is a general term for counselors.
精神科医は薬を出せますが、臨床心理士は出せません。
A psychiatrist can prescribe medication, but a clinical psychologist cannot.
精神科医 (psychiatrist) is a medical doctor. 心理学者 (psychologist) is an academic researcher in psychology, not necessarily a clinician. 臨床心理士 (clinical psychologist) provides therapy. カウンセラー (counselor) is a broad term for various counseling roles. In casual conversation, people may say 心療内科 (psychosomatic medicine) when referring to clinics that treat mental health, but the doctor there is still a 精神科医 or 心療内科医.
心理学者 (しんりがくしゃ) means 'psychologist' in the academic sense, not a medical doctor. Using it to mean 'psychiatrist' will cause confusion.