Hannibal Lecter, the fictional character created by author Thomas Harris, is a psychiatrist, not a psychologist.
You are correct in your understanding of the distinction between psychologists and psychiatrists. Psychologists typically hold a doctoral degree in psychology and focus on providing therapy, counseling, and psychological assessments. They do not prescribe medication, as their training is not in medicine.
On the other hand, psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. They have a medical degree and complete a residency in psychiatry. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication and often provide a combination of medication management and short therapy sessions or counseling.
In the case of Hannibal Lecter, he is depicted as a brilliant psychiatrist and a forensic psychiatrist, specifically specializing in criminal behavior. He uses his knowledge and insights into the human mind to manipulate and understand the behavior of those around him, making him a key figure in various crime novels and movies, including "Red Dragon," "The Silence of the Lambs," and "Hannibal."