Patients are always surprised to learn that there are very few laws governing the practice of medicine. In fact, a physician who is licensed to practice medicine by his state medical board – whatever his specialty – can legally provide counseling for anyone, even if he or she has absolutely no training in psychology at all!
For instance, just because a doctor calls himself a psychiatrist is no guarantee that he is actually competent to practice psychiatry. For example, legally, a proctologist, a medical doctor certified as a specialist only in disorders of the rectum, can label himself as a non-board certified psychiatrist and do adolescent counseling for drug problems or psychotherapy for suicidal patients-all, with no training in psychology.
» Read more: Psychologist Or Psychiatrist? 3 Questions to Ask Before Making an Appointment