What’s the difference between a Psychologist and Psychiatrist for Adult ADHD?
If you are looking for support with adult ADHD, it can be hard to know if you should see a psychologist or psychiatrist. While both professions play an important role, they bring different training, different clinical responsibilities and different ways of supporting people with ADHD.
Understanding how their roles differ can make the assessment and treatment process easier to follow, including what happens at each stage. At Altitude Mind Clinic, our psychologists and psychiatrists work together to support adults with ADHD from initial assessment through to treatment and ongoing care. Appointments take place by secure video consultation from home, your office or another private space, with care available to adults across Australia.
What does a psychiatrist do for adult ADHD?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed specialist training in mental health. Because of their medical background, psychiatrists can assess and diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication and monitor the medical aspects of treatment. They also consider how a person’s physical health, medical history, sleep, mood and other concerns may relate to their ADHD symptoms.
At Altitude Mind Clinic, Dr Ravinder Sohal provides psychiatrist-led adult ADHD care. As part of our current assessment pathway, patients meet with a psychiatrist after their initial psychology appointments to consider the clinical picture and discuss diagnosis and treatment options.
Medication may form one part of ADHD management, but it is not the only type of support available. Many adults also benefit from working with a clinical psychologist, like Iris Waite, to address the practical and emotional impact of ADHD.
What does a psychologist do for adult ADHD?
A psychologist has completed specialised training in human behaviour, thoughts, emotions and mental health.
Psychologists do not prescribe medication. Their work may include psychological assessment, therapy and strategic support to help people understand how ADHD affects their daily life.
At Altitude Mind Clinic, clinical psychologist Iris Waite works with adults with ADHD through assessment and ongoing psychological support, with therapy and strategies to help with:
- Organisation and planning
- Time management
- Task initiation and completion
- Impulsivity
- Emotional regulation
- Managing competing priorities and demands at work or study
- Relationships and communication
- Anxiety, low mood or burnout
- Self-esteem and the impact of living with unsupported ADHD
For professionals, doctors, business owners, managers and people in demanding roles, these difficulties may become more noticeable when work requires constant prioritising, decision-making, organisation and switching between competing demands.
At Altitude Mind Clinic, the first two appointments in the adult ADHD assessment process are with Iris. These appointments are used to gather a detailed history, review current concerns and complete relevant psychological screening or assessment. Iris then discusses the findings with the client before they meet with one of Altitude Mind Clinic’s psychiatrists to review the clinical picture and discuss diagnosis and treatment options, including medication where clinically suitable.
Two Roles, One Bigger Picture
The main difference comes down to training and clinical role.
A psychiatrist approaches ADHD from a medical perspective. They can conduct a medical diagnostic assessment, prescribe medication and manage the medical side of treatment.
A psychologist approaches ADHD from a psychological and behavioural perspective. They can conduct psychological assessments, provide therapy and help people develop practical strategies for managing ADHD in daily life.
Neither role replaces the other in ADHD care. At Altitude Mind Clinic, psychology and psychiatry contribute at different stages of the adult ADHD pathway, with each clinician bringing a different clinical perspective. A psychiatrist can help a person understand the medical and diagnostic aspects of ADHD. A psychologist can help them apply that understanding to work, relationships, routines, emotional regulation and everyday responsibilities.
How do they work together for adult ADHD?
At Altitude Mind Clinic, psychology and psychiatry contribute at different stages of the adult ADHD process. The first two appointments are with clinical psychologist Iris Waite, who gathers relevant history, reviews current concerns and completes psychological screening or assessment where needed.
The client then meets with one of our psychiatrists, who reviews the clinical picture and discusses diagnosis and treatment options, including medication where clinically suitable. Psychological support can continue alongside psychiatric care depending on the person’s needs.
Many adults, especially those who are newly diagnosed or who have lived with undiagnosed ADHD for years, find having access to both perspectives under one clinic can make the process feel less fragmented and more coordinated.
Is therapy useful for adult ADHD?
Though medication may help adults manage symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity or restlessness, psychological support can help a person build skills and routines that apply to everyday situations. Such as:
- Creating realistic planning systems
- Breaking larger tasks into manageable steps
- Responding to procrastination
- Managing emotional reactions
- Communicating needs at work or home
- Recovering from burnout
- Adjusting after a new ADHD diagnosis
A person may also need support to make sense of years spent feeling disorganised, overwhelmed or unable to meet expectations despite working hard.
Having access to both psychology and psychiatry within Altitude Mind Clinic means these different needs can be considered as part of the same broader plan. It also enables us to review care and adapt psychological strategies as the person’s work, family responsibilities or other circumstances change.
Who do I see first for an adult ADHD assessment?
At Altitude Mind Clinic, the adult ADHD assessment pathway begins with two appointments with clinical psychologist Iris Waite. These appointments allow time to gather a detailed history, discuss current concerns and complete relevant psychological screening or assessment.
After these appointments, you meet with one of our psychiatrists to review the clinical picture and discuss diagnosis and treatment options, including medication where clinically suitable.
Psychological support may also continue after this appointment where it is useful for concerns such as organisation, time management, emotional regulation, burnout or adjusting to an ADHD diagnosis.
Adult ADHD care at Altitude Mind Clinic
Altitude Mind Clinic offers adult ADHD assessment, psychiatric treatment and clinical psychology within the same telehealth clinic. All appointments take place through secure video consultation from the comfort and privacy of your own home or office.
Our psychiatrists and psychologist can work together from assessment through to ongoing support, based on the individual’s needs, including:
- Psychological or psychiatric assessment
- Personalised treatment plan
- Medication discussion and management
- Therapy and practical ADHD strategies
- Support for anxiety, low mood or burnout
- Review appointments
- Coordinating care with GPs
Our telehealth model can make appointments easier to fit around demanding work and personal schedules, without travelling to a clinic. Adult ADHD care is available across Australia, from major cities to regional and rural communities.
Looking for support with adult ADHD?
If you are seeking an adult ADHD assessment, medication management, psychological support or a combination of services, our team can help guide you towards a suitable starting point.
If you are seeking support other than an ADHD assessment, our team can also help you book the service that fits your reason for seeking care.
A current GP referral is required for psychiatrist care and is needed to access eligible Medicare rebates.
Our team can also help with general booking, referral and appointment questions.
References
ADDA – Attention Deficit Disorder Association. (2023). Exploring Therapy for Adults With ADHD: 11 Options & How They Work. https://add.org/adhd-therapies/
ADHD Treatment Australia. (2024). Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist ADHD Assessment. https://adhdta.com.au/psychiatrist-vs-psychologist-adhd-assessment/
Health Direct. (2023). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/attention-deficit-disorder-add-or-adhd
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – Symptoms and Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adult-adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350878
Telehealth may not suit every situation. In-person or emergency care may be needed for an acute mental health crisis, suicidality, a medical emergency or when physical examination or other in-person care is required. If you are in crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department.
*This article is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Consult with Altitude Mind Clinic for personalised advice and tailored treatment.