A psychiatric clinic or doctor's office is a space designated for medical diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, perceptual, and behavioral ailments. Treatments generally involve prescriptions of psychoactive medication or medically approved forms of psychotherapy. This differs from a psychotherapy clinic or a counseling center, which administer purely non-invasive forms of therapy, usually based on a controlled conversation between therapist and patient.

The practice provides medical assessment and treatment for mental or behavioral conditions. Medication and psychotherapy are possible components of care.

The medical practice differs from a counseling or psychotherapy service offering psychological methods alone. Psychiatric care does not require medication in every case.