Q. What’s the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

A. Psychiatrists are medical doctors with specific expertise in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses. Psychiatrists have attended medical school and prescribe medication in addition to undertaking ‘therapy’.

Psychologists focus mainly on psychotherapy and treating emotional and mental heath symptoms using their knowledge of normal psychological processes and development. They are not able to prescribe drugs; rather they specialise in helping people to understand, control or modify their thoughts or behaviours.

Q. I’m a solicitor. Do you do medico-legal work?

A.Yes, Dr Waheed has an active medico-legal practice. Terms are available on request.

Q.Do you see private patients?

A.Dr Waheed is not currently taking on private patients. He continues to see patients for medico-legal purposes.

Q.Can I contact you for clinical advice?

A.Dr Waheed cannot answer unsolicited questions from patients or relatives sent by e-mail or through the website; Dr Waheed will not respond to unsolicited e-mails requesting clinical advice.

Q.I am in crisis and need psychiatric help urgently; can you help?

A.Please visit the NHS Choices website for further information about what to do in a crisis.