Therapist vs. Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist: Who Is the Best Fit for Your Needs
When you're ready to seek mental health support, one of the first questions that comes up is: "Who do I actually need to see — a therapist, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist?" If you're unsure of the difference, you're not alone.
At Teston Psychological Services, in Vaughan, Ontario, we often help clients navigate this exact question during our complimentary 15-minute consultation. If you're trying to understand your options, this guide breaks down the distinctions so you can make an informed, confident choice.
Understanding the Mental Health Landscape
Let's start with the basics. While the terms therapist, Psychologist, and Psychiatrist are often used interchangeably, they actually refer to different professionals with different training, roles, and scopes of practice.
Therapist: The Broadest Term
Who they are: A "therapist" is a general term that includes licensed professionals such as psychotherapists, social workers, and counsellors who are trained to provide talk therapy.
Education & Credentials: In Ontario, therapists typically hold a Master’s degree and are registered with a governing body such as the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) or the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
What they do: Therapists use various evidence-based approaches — like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), or Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) — to support clients in areas such as:
Anxiety and depression
Relationship issues
Self-esteem
Coping with grief or trauma
Life transitions
Family mediation
At Teston Psychological Services, our therapists offer virtual and in-person sessions.
Ideal for: Most mental health concerns that require talk therapy but not medication.
Our Therapists at Teston Psychological Services: Our team has two experienced social workers. Meet them both below.
Zahida Janmohamed: She is a registered social worker and psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience in healthcare. Zahida holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto and specializes in supporting individuals, couples, and families through relationship challenges, life transitions, parenting concerns, anger, anxiety, depression, PTSD, burnout, and caregiving stress. Her client-centred, trauma-informed approach draws from therapies like CBT, DBT, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and mindfulness.
Zahida also helps couples strengthen communication and emotional connection. She offers a warm, judgment-free space to explore challenges, build tools, and work toward the future you envision. You can read Zahida’s full bio here.
Imara Dhalla: She is a registered social worker with a Master of Social Work from the University of Windsor. Imara provides psychotherapy to clients of all ages, using a client-centred, strengths-based approach tailored to each individual's needs. Imara draws from Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Narrative Therapy to create a safe, judgment-free space where clients feel supported.
She helps individuals navigate anxiety, depression, burnout, and relationship challenges. Imara also receives regular supervision and consultation from senior social worker Zahida Janmohamed to ensure the highest quality of care. You can read Imara’s full bio here.
Interested in learning more about the best social worker for you? Book a 15-minute complimentary consultation!
Psychologist: The Assessment Experts
Who they are: Psychologists are doctoral-level professionals (PhD or PsyD) trained to diagnose and treat mental health disorders using psychological assessments and therapy.
Education & Credentials: Psychologists are regulated by the College of Psychologists of Ontario. They have completed extensive training in clinical psychology and are qualified to perform formal assessments and diagnoses.
What they do: Psychologists can offer therapy just like therapists, but they are also equipped to conduct comprehensive psychological assessments, especially useful in diagnosing conditions such as:
ADHD
Learning disabilities
Mood disorders
Anxiety and trauma disorders
At Teston Psychological Services, we have an experienced psychologist at our Vaughan clinic, offering in-person and virtual sessions.
Ideal for: Formal psychological testing and therapy for complex or diagnosed mental health conditions.
Our Psychologist at Teston Psychological Services: Our founder is a psychologist in Ontario. Get to know her below!
Dr. Ambreen Basria: She is a Clinical and Counselling Psychologist in Ontario, specializing in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, fertility issues, postpartum issues, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, relationship issues, trauma, emergency/first responder services, stress, low self-esteem, and parenting challenges.
Dr. Basria has a doctorate in Applied Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Loma Linda University. Dr. Basria offers various treatment approaches tailored to meet the individual needs of each client or family, including solution-focused, humanistic, CBT, ACT, and emotion-focused therapy. You can read her full bio right here.
Dr. Basria invites you to book a complimentary 15-minute consultation, where she can learn about you and your goals to see if she is the best fit for you!
Psychiatrist: The Medical Doctor
Who they are: Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs) who specialize in mental health.
Education & Credentials: They complete medical school, followed by a residency in psychiatry, and are licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).
What they do: Psychiatrists diagnose mental health disorders and are the only professionals among the three who can prescribe medication. They may provide short-term therapy, but most focus on medication management for conditions such as:
Bipolar disorder
Major depressive disorder
Schizophrenia
Severe anxiety
PTSD
Psychiatrists typically work in hospitals, mental health clinics, or private practice and often require a referral from a family doctor.
Ideal for: Clients who need a diagnosis and medical treatment (such as prescription medication) for moderate to severe mental health concerns.
So, Who Should You See?
The answer depends on your unique situation. We invite you to book a 15-minute consultation to find the best option for you. To give you an idea of the different conditions we typically help clients with, here is a list below:
Gender Affirming Care
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders and Infertility
First Responder Issues
ADHD
Anxiety
Coping Skills
Depression
Family Conflict
Grief
LGBTQ+ issues
Life Transitions
Mood Disorders
Peer Relationships
Relationship Issues
Self Esteem
Women's Issues
Perinatal Moods and Anxiety Disorders
Family Mediation
All our services are provided in a safe, inclusive, and culturally sensitive environment. We also offer therapy in multiple languages, including Urdu, Hindi, and Gujarati, for individuals who feel more comfortable communicating in their native tongue.
Still Unsure? Let's Talk!
Navigating mental health care shouldn't be confusing — and it doesn't have to be.
Our team at Teston Psychological Services in Vaughan is here to walk you through the process. Whether you're looking for virtual therapy options in Ontario, in-person sessions near you, or simply need help deciding between therapy and psychology, we've got you covered. We invite you to book your free 15-minute consultation to help you get started. We can’t wait to meet you!