A list Member wrote:

I am aware of the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist educationally and their different focus, but what is the "real" difference? What does a psychiatrist do? What will they ask me or make me do? What should I be prepared for?

A psychiatrist is simply a medical doctor that specializes in medicine of brain-related disorders, instead of disorders of other organs. These days, most of them are trained only in medical approaches, like prescribing meds.
Some are still trained in different therapies (like talk therapy, interpersonal, cognitive or behavioral), but most of this training is superficial. They just don't have the time in med school. If your doc has suggested you go to a psychiatrist, it probably means that s/he doesn't feel comfortable prescribing the meds for you, because it's not in his/her area of expertise. So you're just getting referred to a specialist.

A psychologist can't prescribe, but hasn't spent time in med school, but rather time doing lots more clinical therapy. Some psychologists do research instead, but the clinically good ones have practiced enough therapy to get pretty good at it. Your psychologist should be the person you turn to with therapy or "life-issue" problems or questions, and you psychiatrist should be the person you turn to with med-related questions.

Even though there are exceptions, these days (especially with managed care) therapists (including psychologists, MFTs, LCSWs) do therapy, while psychiatrists do meds. There is little overlap in reality. And most pychiatrists aren't very interested in hospitalizing someone (unless they are in imminent danger to themselves or someone else), because it's a real pain. They would certainly rather remain in their office, listen to your symptoms and prescribe what they think will be the best medication for you.