It is confusing, isn't it?

The person I referred to as my therapist was a psychology student working on his PhD. Seeing patients was part of his clinical training. He wasn't allowed to make diagnoses, and couldn't prescribe drugs.

My "shrink" was my psychiatrist. She diagnosed me and prescribed my meds.

I don't see a therapist or a psychiatrist any more. Now my family doctor prescribes my meds... based on past diagnoses from the psychiatrist and discussions with me about my progress and reactions to meds.