Can a therapist prescribe medication for depression?

No, therapists cannot prescribe medication for depression.
Only licensed medical professionals such as psychiatrists, primary care physicians (PCPs), and nurse practitioners (NPs) with the appropriate credentials have the authority to prescribe medications.

Understanding the Roles in Mental Health Care

When it comes to treating depression, it’s important to know the difference between the professionals involved:

Therapists

• Includes: Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and psychologists (PhDs/PsyDs)

• Do not prescribe medication

• Provide talk therapy approaches such as:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Psychodynamic therapy

  • Interpersonal therapy

Psychiatrists

• Medical doctors (MD or DO) who specialize in mental health

• Can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medications

• Often work in tandem with therapists to provide comprehensive care

Primary Care Providers & Nurse Practitioners

• Can prescribe medications for depression, especially when psychiatric specialists are unavailable

• May initiate treatment and refer patients to mental health specialists for long-term care

Collaboration is Common in Mental Health Treatment

If you’re working with a therapist and medication may be helpful, your therapist can:

• Refer you to a psychiatrist or a medical provider for a medication evaluation

• Coordinate care with your prescriber to monitor progress

• Help you manage symptoms alongside your medication through ongoing therapy

Key Takeaway

Therapists provide therapeutic support but cannot prescribe medication. For medication management, you’ll need to see a psychiatrist or another licensed medical provider.