What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist?

A psychiatrist is a medical professional such as a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner who can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe and manage medications, and coordinate with your other medical providers. A therapist is a mental health professional such as a psychologist, licensed counselor, or clinical social worker who provides talk therapy to help you understand thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and build coping skills over time.

When should I see a psychiatrist instead of a therapist in Maryland or Washington DC?

Choose a psychiatrist first if you have strong or long lasting symptoms such as major depression, intense anxiety or panic, big mood swings, possible bipolar disorder or psychosis, trouble functioning at work or school, or thoughts of self harm. A psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner at Unique Minds Behavioral Health Services can complete a full evaluation, check for medical causes, and prescribe medication when appropriate, along with recommending therapy when helpful.

When is a therapist the best first choice?

A therapist is often the best starting point if your symptoms are mild to moderate, you still manage daily tasks most days, or you mainly want help with stress, grief, relationship patterns, or life transitions. Talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy can be very effective for many people with anxiety, depression, or stress without immediately using medication. Your therapist can suggest adding a psychiatrist later if needed.

Can I get telehealth mental health care from Unique Minds in Maryland and Washington DC?

Yes. Unique Minds Behavioral Health Services provides secure telehealth visits as well as in person appointments. Patients across Maryland and in Washington, DC can book virtual psychiatric and therapy sessions, which offer convenience and access without the need to travel to the clinic, while still receiving high quality, confidential mental health care.

Is It Time to See a Psychiatrist or Therapist in Maryland and Washington, D.C.?

Q: Does Unique Minds Behavioral Health Services offer both psychiatry and therapy?

Yes. Unique Minds Behavioral Health Services in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC offers both psychiatric services and therapy services. Patients can receive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and a range of therapy options including individual, online, group, family, and couples sessions, as well as cognitive behavioral and other evidence based approaches.

Scarlet Plus LLC
1 day ago
7 min read

You know something is not right. Maybe you wake up tired, even after a full night in bed. Maybe your thoughts race on the Beltway or during your Metro ride home. Maybe you find yourself snapping at family or cancelling plans in Baltimore or D.C. because you feel too anxious or too low to go out.

At some point, a quiet question shows up in your mind: Do I need a psychiatrist or a therapist?

If you live in Maryland or Washington, D.C., this guide will help you understand the difference, notice key warning signs, and see how to book care at Unique Minds Behavioral Health Services with in-person and telehealth visits. Unique Minds provides psychiatric and therapy services in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. with a focus on personalized, whole-person mental health care.

psychiatrist or therapist in Maryland and Washington DC

Note: Mental health conditions are common and treatable. National health resources explain that mental disorders affect how you think, feel, and act, but many people improve with treatment such as psychotherapy, medication, or both. (MedlinePlus)

This article is for education only. It does not replace care from your own medical or mental health professional. If you ever feel unsafe or think you might hurt yourself or someone else, get emergency help right away.

Psychiatrist and Therapist: In Simple Words

It is normal to feel confused by all the mental health titles you see online. Two of the most common are psychiatrist and therapist. National mental health organizations describe these roles in a simple way (MedlinePlus):

A psychiatrist is a medical professional who focuses on mental health. This includes psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners. They can:
- Diagnose mental health conditions.
- Prescribe and adjust medication.
- Order or review lab tests when needed.
- Coordinate with your primary care clinician and therapist.
A therapist is a talk therapy professional. This includes psychologists, licensed counselors, and clinical social workers. They:
- Provide structured talk therapy sessions.
- Help you understand thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns.
- Teach coping skills and support you through life changes.

At Unique Minds Behavioral Health Services, you can receive both psychiatry and psychotherapy under one roof. The team offers psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and a full menu of therapy services, including individual, online, group, and family sessions.

You do not have to choose perfectly on your own. The goal is to start somewhere and let your care team help you decide what comes next.

How to Tell When It Is Time to Seek Professional Help, See a Psychiatrist in Maryland.

Everyone has hard days. The question is when your symptoms move from normal stress into something that deserves professional support.

The National Institute of Mental Health suggests paying attention to both how long symptoms last and how much they affect daily life. Their "My Mental Health: Do I Need Help?" tool encourages people to seek help when symptoms are strong, last more than two weeks, or start to interfere with work, school, or relationships. (National Institute of Mental Health)

Ask yourself if any of these feel true:

Your mood is low or anxious most days for at least two weeks.
You feel tired all the time or have trouble sleeping most nights.
It is hard to focus, finish tasks, or keep up at work or school.
You pull away from people or activities you usually enjoy.
You use substances more than before just to get through the day.

If you see yourself in these patterns, it is a good time to schedule a visit with a mental health professional in Maryland or Washington, D.C.

When a Psychiatrist Is the Best First Choice

A psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner is often the right starting point when symptoms are intense, confusing, or may involve brain and body chemistry. National resources list several warning signs that may point to conditions such as major depression, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, or severe anxiety. (National Institute of Mental Health)

Consider booking a psychiatric visit first if:

You feel sad, empty, or hopeless most of the day, and this has lasted two weeks or longer.
You have lost interest in hobbies, food, or relationships that used to matter to you.
Your sleep or appetite has changed a lot, and your energy is very low.
You have intense anxiety or panic that feels hard to control and keeps you from driving, using public transit, shopping, or going to work.
Your mood swings are big and sudden, with times of very high energy, little need for sleep, and risky choices with money, sex, driving, or substances.
You hear or see things that others do not, or you hold beliefs that people close to you say do not match reality.
You already take psychiatric medication and need a new prescriber or a second opinion.

At Unique Minds Behavioral Health Services in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., psychiatric providers offer thorough evaluations and medication management, both in-person and through secure telehealth. They work with conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, ADHD, trauma-related conditions, psychotic disorders, insomnia, and more.

If medication might be part of your care now or in the future, starting with a psychiatric visit can give you a clear medical picture and a safer plan.

When a Therapist Can Be Your First Step

Sometimes symptoms are milder or more tied to specific stress, grief, or life changes. In these cases, talk therapy may be a good first choice. NIMH explains that many evidence-based psychotherapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), have been shown to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. (National Institute of Mental Health)

You might start with a therapist if:

You feel stressed, overwhelmed, or stuck, but can still manage work or school most days.
You are dealing with grief, a breakup, parenting stress, work conflict, or cultural stressors.
You notice long-term patterns in relationships or self-esteem and want to understand them.
You prefer learning skills like grounding, exposure practice, or communication tools before thinking about medication.

At Unique Minds Behavioral Health Services, therapy options include individual, online, group, family, and couples sessions, along with approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior strategies, mindfulness work, and more.

If you start with therapy and your therapist thinks medication could help, they can recommend that you add a psychiatric provider at Unique Minds for a shared plan.

Why Many People Benefit from Both

For many people, the most honest answer to the question "psychiatrist or therapist in Maryland and Washington, DC" is both.

Research summaries from national institutes note that for moderate to severe depression and many anxiety disorders, a mix of medication and psychotherapy often works better than either one alone. (National Institute of Mental Health)

When you receive care at Unique Minds Behavioral Health Services, you can:

Start with a psychiatric evaluation to understand your diagnosis, medical history, and treatment options.
Add therapy to build coping skills, process trauma, and change patterns in daily life.
Let your providers share information (with your permission) so medication plans and therapy goals support each other.

Having psychiatry and therapy in the same practice can save time and reduce confusion. You do not have to repeat your story to every new person, and your team can adjust your plan together as your life and symptoms change.

Red Flag Signs That Need Urgent Help

Some situations should never wait for a routine appointment. National suicide prevention resources urge people to seek immediate help when there is a risk of serious harm. (SAMHSA)

Get emergency help right away if:

You think about ending your life and feel you might act on those thoughts.
You have a clear plan to hurt yourself or someone else.
You hear a voice telling you to harm yourself or others.
You feel unable to care for basic needs like eating, drinking, or staying safe.
You mix heavy substance use with strong mood or thinking problems.

In the United States, you can:

Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Call 911.
Go to the nearest emergency room.

After the immediate crisis has passed, follow up with a psychiatrist or therapist for ongoing support. Unique Minds Behavioral Health Services also lists crisis numbers and safety reminders on their site, and encourages patients to treat safety concerns as emergencies, not as routine visit issues.

How Unique Minds Behavioral Health Services Supports You

Unique Minds Behavioral Health Services is an outpatient mental health clinic with offices in Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. The practice offers both in-person visits and secure telehealth appointments to reach people across many counties in Maryland and the D.C. region.

In-Person and Telehealth Options

In-Person: Visits at the Baltimore or D.C. office for a face-to-face connection.
Telehealth: Appointments from home, work, or school when travel or mobility is a barrier.

The practice highlights that both options receive the same level of expert care and privacy. Telehealth is provided through secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms so you can feel safe sharing personal details.

Conditions and Services

Unique Minds treats a wide range of mental health conditions, including:

Depression and mood disorders
Anxiety and panic
Bipolar disorder
ADHD and behavioral conditions
Trauma and PTSD
Psychotic disorders and schizophrenia
Sleep problems
Eating disorders, personality disorders, and more.

Core services include:

Psychiatric evaluations
Medication management
Therapy services (individual, online, group, family, and couples)
Treatment for substance use and support for lifestyle changes.

How to Book a Visit

If you are wondering whether you need a psychiatrist or therapist in Maryland and Washington, D.C., taking the next step can feel big. Unique Minds tries to make the process simple.

To get started:

Go to the Unique Minds Behavioral Health Services website and choose the Book Now or Book Online button.
Pick your preferred location (Baltimore or Washington, D.C.) or a telehealth option.
Select a time that works with your schedule.
Share basic information, contact details, and any insurance information requested.
Complete any intake forms so your provider can prepare for your first visit.

If you have questions, you can also call the office numbers listed on the site for help with scheduling and coverage.

Still Unsure? Here Is a Quick Checklist

If you live in Maryland or Washington, D.C. and are still not sure whether to see a psychiatrist or therapist, try this short checklist.

Say "Yes" or "No" to each question:

[ ] Have my mood, anxiety, or sleep problems lasted more than two weeks?
[ ] Are these problems making it hard to manage work, school, parenting, or caregiving?
[ ] Have I tried basic steps like better sleep, more movement, and talking with trusted people without enough relief?
[ ] Do I wonder if medicine might help me feel more stable or clear?
[ ] Do I feel scared by my own thoughts or by how stuck I feel?

If you answer YES to several of these, a psychiatric evaluation at Unique Minds Behavioral Health Services is a strong next step. From there, your provider can recommend medication, therapy, or a combination of both.

If your symptoms feel milder and you mainly want space to talk, understand patterns, and learn skills, starting with therapy may also be a good option. The important thing is not to wait until life falls apart. Reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness; it is a practical and hopeful step toward feeling more steady in your daily life.