Psychiatry is the combination of two fields; psychology and medicine. A psychiatrist helps people overcome their minor or major mental disorders through various means like medication and therapies. A psychiatrist can play an extremely important role in our lives, with a number of youngsters ready to take up the field as their profession, idolizing successful psychiatrists like Dr. Peter, who is presently practicing in Miami.
If you want to become a psychiatrist, you need to keep in mind that the steps towards becoming a mental health expert are not going to be a walk in the park and you will have to go through rigorous and long training.
Have the aptitude
Before you choose psychology to be your profession, it is imperative to know that you have the aptitude and the capacity to become a psychiatrist. You will get all the training during your medical education but keep in mind that you must have an outstanding temperament if you aspire to become a mental health expert. Dealing with people, who have some sort of psychological issues, requires a lot of patience. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you make this important decision after thoroughly going through the pros and cons of the field.
College
You must opt for a pre-medical course of study, with majors such as biology, chemistry or psychology, if you intend to become a psychiatrist. This is a mandatory step to get admitted in a reputable medical school. You can earn the missing credits through specially designed courses if you have not completed the necessary undergraduate course.
Medical school
You are required to spend four years in a medical school after completing your college degree. The initial couple of years in a medical school are usually about general medical education including a few courses in physiology and anatomy, while the last two years are about medical specialties, with hands-on practical challenges.
Residency
Before becoming a certified psychiatrist, you need to complete a residency after your medical school. A residency lasts for about four to six years most of the time. During this period, you will work with patients under the supervision of an experienced psychiatrist.
License and fellowship
You may apply for licensure after completing your residency. In case you are interested in any sub-specialty like child psychiatry, neuropsychiatry or forensic psychiatry, you will have to do a fellowship, which is likely to be a 12-month program.
Steps to Become a Professional Psychiatrist
