What is the difference between therapists and counselors

The answer to the question of what makes a therapist different from a counselor depends on why you are asking. If you are someone who needs treatment for a mental health issue, you might not find many differences at all.

Counselors and therapists draw on the same body of knowledge and expertise for diagnosis and treatment. They use many of the same techniques and treat many of the same kinds of conditions, from depression to anxiety to addiction. All of them can offer you empathy, compassion, and effective answers to your problems.

You might not even notice exactly what the title is on the business card, and you may never care. Becoming a counselor versus a therapist means choosing between two different traditions in mental treatment. It means picking and following different educational tracks. There are different tests to take and licenses to earn along the way.

Both counselors and therapists start off with a strong grounding in basic psychological principles. They learn how to assess and diagnose psychopathologies. They are trained in similar therapy techniques, including:. Both counselors and therapists also have some of the same limitations. September 29, Staff Writers. Legg, Ph. Careers in counseling, therapy, and psychology each hold different education requirements, licensure standards, and potential salaries.

For example, counselors might not need as much education as psychologists, and therapists might work with different patient populations than counselors.

Each position also offers different job responsibilities. For example, psychologists are more likely to be tasked with providing psychotherapy than counselors.

Because counselors, therapists, and psychologists possess different responsibilities, anyone interested in the field may prefer one job over the others.

Generally speaking, someone willing to complete up to a Ph. This guide explores the differences for each position, including required education, information on licensure, and potential career outcomes. The differences between psychologists, counselors, and therapists come down to the skills, necessary education, job responsibilities, and other requirements to secure positions in the field. While the three occupations share some similarities, they each come with varying expectations and job titles.

Counselors, therapists, and psychologists must possess excellent communication, listening, and interpersonal skills. Counselors work with individuals or groups, and many professionals draw from a variety of experiences to connect with patients.

Therapists receive training to connect with clients. A therapist usually chooses a field of specialization, such as marriage or family therapy, and guides clients to help them overcome personal issues. Psychologists require strong analytical and observational skills. These professionals conduct research, diagnose disorders, and supervise interns. Unlike psychologists, psychiatrists receive medical training and can prescribe medication, although psychologists can prescribe medication in Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, New Mexico, and Louisiana, as well as in the Public Health Service, the Indian Health Service, the U.

Generally speaking, psychologists have more in common with therapists and counselors than psychiatrists. For instance, some states license or certify addictions counselors with an associates degree, or a combination of college credits, professional seminars, and years of experience working in addictions.

Each psychologist needs a doctoral degree, and most professionals complete a year Ph. This degree also requires supervised clinical work and most states require around two years of clinical supervision before the individual would be eligible for licensure. Counselors typically provide guidance to their clients.

Because counseling is a broad field, the way counselors approach patient care widely varies, though counselors usually stay within their fields of expertise. Therapists often need licenses to practice, so therapists only see patients that fall under their area of expertise.

Many therapists use a specific theoretical orientation to guide their practice, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which allows clients to take their negative thoughts and replace them with positivity. Other commonly used clinical models include psychodynamic, attachment theory, family systems, and IFS.

Psychologists possess the highest level of education and only see specific cases in their field of expertise. These professionals may also adopt a specific theoretical orientation such as cognitive behavioral therapy or psychoanalysis to treat their patients.

Counselors may require a license whereas therapists and psychologists all require licenses, with few exceptions. Therapists also complete supervised experience through internships or residencies. Choosing between a career as a counselor, therapist, or psychologist may depend on your intended level of education, ideal professional role, and salary goals. Higher levels of education often lead to more lucrative positions. Counselors find employment in many different settings to work closely with a diverse set of clients.

Therapists work in a wide variety of settings and occasionally work with other therapists. Psychologists may work in a wide variety of settings as well, including group practices or integrated health systems. Many therapists and psychologists venture into private practice, as well. As mental health becomes an increasingly important concern, the need for mental health experts increases, too. Students interested in prescribing medication and drugs should become a psychiatrist.

Psychiatrists share many similarities with psychologists, though the two also have several significant differences. Jaime Zuckerman is a Philadelphia-based clinical psychologist in private practice, specializing in adults with anxiety, depression, and those adjusting to medical illnesses.

Zuckerman received her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and her doctorate in clinical psychology from La Salle University.

After returning to Pennsylvania, she took a position as head psychologist at the Coatesville, Virginia, for the acute medical, nursing, and hospice units. She was also actively involved in an internship training program. In , Dr. Zuckerman accepted the position as Director of Psychology at The Center for Neuroscience in Media, Pennsylvania, where she remained for several years until entering private practice full time.

In addition to her practice, Dr. Zuckerman offers seminars and support groups for the Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania and frequently presents at their conferences. What drew you to a career as a psychologist? First, I had always been interested in how the body worked. Eventually, when I got to high school, I took an intro to psychology course as an elective and began to take a real interest in the brain and its role in emotions, cognition, and behaviors.

But these specializations can overlap significantly. Both counselors and therapists are trained in their area of specialty. They may also hold licenses or certifications as required by their state.

To obtain such a license, the therapist must take and pass an exam administered by their state. Therapists typically display their diplomas and licenses in their offices. As part of their education, a counselor will take courses related to their specialty, including therapy techniques. Depending on state law, reputable counselors may also need licenses to practice counseling services. Additionally, counselors will often obtain certifications, such as those related to addiction and marriage counseling.

Counseling psychologists may have doctorate level degrees and specialize in a variety of topics, such as:. Therapists typically have more education than counselors. Many obtain doctoral level education. Psychology itself is the scientific study of human behavior. Therapists also tend to have training that puts research from one or more specialities into practice. Some therapists may also have a doctor of philosophy PhD in psychology. This provides a more in-depth research background.

Another educational option is a doctor of psychology PsyD which has less of a research emphasis. In addition to providing therapy services, both types of clinical psychology doctorate degrees allow these professionals to seek jobs in academia at the college or university level. Therapists must also hold appropriate licenses and certifications based on the state they wish to practice in. Therapists can work with individuals in one-on-one sessions as well as with couples, families, and groups.

Some also specialize in working with children through a technique called play therapy. For example, a marriage counselor can help couples work toward resolving disruptive short-term problems for a healthier relationship. A therapist, on the other hand, may offer treatments that delve into deeper mental health concerns, including:. A therapist can also help you discover the underlying causes of these issues, along with negative past experiences that may apply to the situation.

Therapists may have more advanced doctoral degrees. Your budget and location are other considerations. If you have insurance, you may want to start by calling your insurance company to ask about your mental health coverage and receive a list of in-network professionals to help you lower the cost of your treatment. A clinic or community health center may offer options at a reduced cost for therapists and counselors.

These apps typically offer sessions for free or at a lower cost, with many apps only requiring a one-time purchase or monthly subscription fee that may be lower than the cost of regular counseling or therapy sessions. Both counselors and therapists are treatment-based mental health professionals who can help you work through a variety of issues to achieve a better quality of life.

First, narrow your search to a few different professionals and ask for free consultations with each. At this point, you may also inquire about their education and training.