What mental health professional is a medical doctor and the only mental health professionals who can prescribe medication or perform surgery?

• A. Clinical psychologist
• B. Psychiatrist
• C. Counseling psychologist
• D. Social worker

Answer: (B)

In mental health care, the ability to prescribe medications and manage medical aspects of treatment rests with physicians. The psychiatrist is the mental health professional who is a licensed medical doctor (MD/DO) with specialized training in psychiatry, so they are qualified to prescribe psychotropic medications and oversee related medical procedures as part of treatment. Clinical psychologists and counseling psychologists hold doctoral degrees in psychology but are not medical doctors, so they do not prescribe medications. Social workers provide therapy and support but also do not prescribe medications. Therefore, the psychiatrist is the correct choice.