A psychologist helps with psychological difficulties; a medical psychologist has a healthcare qualification; a psychotherapist has additional training in psychotherapy; and a psychiatrist is a medical doctor. These roles can overlap. The useful question is what a particular professional is qualified to do and whether it fits your needs.
If you would like to begin by talking through what is happening, an online psychological consultation is one possible starting point. You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis or know in advance how many appointments you will need.
Four roles in the Lithuanian context
Professional titles and rules vary between countries. This comparison concerns Lithuania. The Lithuanian Ministry of Health distinguishes medical psychology from general psychology and describes separate requirements for psychotherapy services.
On a small screen, scroll sideways to read the table.
| Professional | Main focus | Useful question |
|---|---|---|
| Psychologist | Understanding emotions, behaviour and psychological difficulties within their training. | Do you work with people my age and with this concern? |
| Medical psychologist | Psychological assessment and interventions in healthcare. | What assessment or consultation do you provide in this setting? |
| Psychotherapist | Psychotherapy within their professional training and approach. | What is your original qualification and your psychotherapy training? |
| Psychiatrist | Medical assessment and treatment of mental health conditions, including medication when appropriate. | What will the assessment cover and which options can we discuss? |
Start with the difficulty, rather than the title
“I avoid people even though I miss them”, “I can no longer manage work” and “I need to discuss my current medication” point to different needs. You are not expected to decide which profession is the most advanced. The right combination of support may change over time.
Psychological consultation can be a starting point for questions about relationships, self-esteem or coping. A marked change in functioning, difficulties caring for yourself or questions about medication also call for medical assessment. As NIMH explains, physical conditions and some medicines can produce symptoms resembling depression.
If persistent low mood is part of your concern, the guide to depression and getting help offers broader context. A page or professional title cannot establish a diagnosis.
What to check before booking
- Ask for the professional’s qualification, relevant education and licence where required.
- Clarify whether you are booking psychological consultation, psychotherapy or a medical appointment.
- Discuss fees, duration, cancellations, confidentiality and its limits.
- Ask how you will review progress and what happens if another kind of support is needed.
These are reasonable questions. You do not have to audit a training programme, but you should receive a clear explanation of the professional’s scope. A short course certificate does not tell you everything about a person’s qualifications.
You can reconsider after you start
Consider a hypothetical example: someone books because of workplace conflict, then explains that they have barely slept or eaten for some time. Discussing a medical assessment would be a way of matching support to the situation. It would not mean that the person was being rejected.
You can tell a professional what feels useful, uncomfortable or unclear. If you want to change providers, discuss a practical next step. The guide to whether a psychologist is right for you explores the working relationship in more detail.
Public support and urgent needs
The National Health Insurance Fund confirms direct access to primary outpatient care at your mental health centre. Ask the centre about registration and coverage. A privately booked consultation is not automatically publicly funded because the professional holds a healthcare qualification.
If someone’s life is in immediate danger, call 112 in Lithuania and the EU or local emergency services elsewhere. Do not wait for a routine appointment. This article explains options for support; it does not assess your condition.
Your questions
Questions you may still have
Is a medical psychologist a medical doctor?
No. In Lithuania this is a healthcare profession, but the qualification is not a medical degree. The word medical does not mean that the psychologist prescribes medication.
Can a psychologist also be a psychotherapist?
A professional may hold both qualifications, but one does not automatically imply the other. Ask about their psychotherapy training, whether it is completed and the service they are offering.
Does seeing a psychiatrist mean I will be prescribed medication?
Not automatically. The appointment involves assessing your situation and discussing options. You can ask about the purpose of a proposed treatment, alternatives and possible unwanted effects.
Do I need a diagnosis before I book?
No. You can start by explaining what has changed and what is becoming difficult. Clarifying the problem and considering another professional when needed are part of seeking support.
Can I see a psychologist and psychiatrist at the same time?
Yes, their work may complement each other. Tell each professional what support you receive and discuss whether sharing specific information, with your consent, would be useful.
Do I need a referral to a Lithuanian mental health centre?
A GP referral is not required for primary outpatient services at your own mental health centre. Check registration, insurance and payment arrangements with the centre before attending.
What is Iveta’s qualification?
Iveta is a licensed medical psychologist in Lithuania. The website offers individual psychological consultations. This qualification does not by itself establish a psychiatrist or psychotherapist role.
Sources and further information
- SAM. Medicinos psichologo ir psichoterapijos paslaugų prieinamumasUpdated 2022-12-08; professional distinctions and separate psychotherapy qualifications; checked 29 September 2026
- VLK. Psichikos sveikatos pagalba ne tik ištikus ūmiai krizeiPublished 2026-09-10; team roles and direct primary mental health centre access; checked 29 September 2026
- NIMH. DepressionSections diagnosis and treatment; assessment considers physical health and treatments are individually selected; checked 29 September 2026
This guide provides general information and does not replace an individual assessment. Illustrations do not depict actual clients.