29/08/2026
Recently, may mga discussions online about “sino lang ba talaga ang puwedeng mag-diagnose ng mental health conditions?” One misconception we keep seeing is that psychiatrists lang ang allowed mag-diagnose.
In the Philippine context, that is not entirely accurate. A Registered Psychologist (RPsy) is a licensed mental health professional whose scope includes psychological assessment, evaluation, intervention, and psychotherapy. The Professional Regulation Commission specifically recognizes that psychologists must be competent in formulating and communicating a psychological diagnosis, while psychological evaluation may include diagnostic interpretations (Professional Regulation Commission [PRC], n.d.). This is consistent with the Philippine Psychology Act of 2009, or Republic Act No. 10029, which defines psychological assessment as part of the professional practice of psychology (Republic Act No. 10029, 2010).
So licensed psychologists can diagnose within the scope of psychological practice and their professional competence. Hindi requirement na psychiatrist muna bago magkaroon ng valid psychological diagnosis. To become an RPsy, a person must meet graduate-level educational requirements in psychology, supervised professional training requirements, and professional licensure requirements. Some psychologists may also hold doctoral degrees such as a PsyD or PhD.
Another important distinction involves psychological testing. Under RA 10029, psychological assessment, including the gathering and integration of psychological data through individual tests, projective tests, clinical interviews, and other psychological assessment tools, is specifically included within the regulated practice of psychology. The law also specifies the limited testing functions that a Registered Psychometrician may perform under the supervision of a licensed psychologist (Republic Act No. 10029, 2010).
This means that being a physician or psychiatrist does not automatically grant authority to independently practice psychological assessment or to administer, score, and interpret restricted psychological tests as a psychological service. If a psychiatrist is not also appropriately licensed or otherwise authorized under the Psychology Act, psychological testing and the resulting psychological evaluation remain within the regulated scope of psychology and psychometrics. This is different from psychiatric screening tools or clinical rating scales that physicians may use as part of medical practice.
A psychiatrist, on the other hand, is a physician (MD) specializing in psychiatry. Because psychiatry is part of medical practice, psychiatrists can conduct medical and psychiatric evaluation, diagnose mental disorders from a medical perspective, evaluate possible medical or neurologic contributors to symptoms, and prescribe and manage medication. Philippine medical law recognizes diagnosis, treatment, and prescription as functions within the practice of medicine (Republic Act No. 2382, 1959).
So this is really not about “Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist” or kung sino ang “mas qualified.” They are differently trained professionals with overlapping but distinct scopes.
If the primary need is comprehensive psychological assessment, psychological testing, diagnostic clarification, psychotherapy, behavioral concerns, personality functioning, ADHD or autism assessment, cognitive concerns, or other psychological questions, an RPsy may be an appropriate professional to consult.
If medication, medical evaluation, severe psychiatric symptoms, possible medical or neurologic causes, or closer medical monitoring are major concerns, a psychiatrist may need to be prioritized.
And in many cases, the best care involves both.
But I think this conversation also needs to go beyond social media.
This is also a call for LGUs, government agencies, schools, employers, healthcare facilities, and other institutions to become more familiar with the existing laws regulating mental health professions in the Philippines.
There are still situations where people encounter policies, forms, or requirements that appear to recognize only a psychiatrist’s diagnosis, even when the concern falls within the lawful scope of psychological assessment and diagnosis by a Registered Psychologist. Sometimes, this may simply reflect limited awareness of RA 10029 or institutional policies that have not yet caught up with the development and regulation of professional psychology in the country.
Of course, there are specific circumstances where a law, government benefit, medical requirement, or particular certification may explicitly require evaluation by a physician or psychiatrist. Those requirements should still be followed.
But when there is no such specific requirement, an RPsy’s psychological assessment or diagnosis should not be dismissed solely on the assumption that “psychiatrists are the only professionals who can diagnose.”
Professional recognition should be based on the actual law, scope of practice, purpose of the document, and competence of the professional—not simply on which profession the public is more familiar with.
This is why public education matters, but institutional education matters just as much.
As psychology continues to develop as a regulated profession in the Philippines, LGUs and institutions also have an important role in ensuring that their policies, referral systems, documentation requirements, and mental health programs appropriately recognize the respective scopes of psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and other licensed professionals.
Mental health care is multidisciplinary.
Diagnosis is not exclusive to one profession. What matters is the type of diagnosis being made, the methods being used, the purpose for which it is being used, and the professional’s scope of practice, training, licensure, and competence.
References
- Professional Regulation Commission. (n.d.). Psychology. Professional Regulation Commission.
- Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology. (2012). Implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 10029, otherwise known as the Philippine Psychology Act of 2009. Professional Regulation Commission.
- Republic Act No. 10029. (2010). Philippine Psychology Act of 2009. Republic of the Philippines.
- Republic Act No. 2382. (1959). The Medical Act of 1959. Republic of the Philippines.
