What’s the Difference Between a Counselor and a Therapist?

Some may think counselors and therapists are interchangeable, and that's partly true. But a few key differences set them apart.
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  • The terms “counselor” and “therapist” are often used interchangeably, often considered generic terms for similar job functions, but their approaches, training and licensure requirements differ.
  • Counseling uses goal-oriented, short-term approaches providing clients with tools to address specific behavioral changes.
  • Therapy often uses a longer-term process, exploring with clients the root causes of their behavior.
  • Licensed counselors and licensed psychologists/therapists must pass different licensing examinations to practice legally.

Counselor vs. therapist? Both terms describe mental health professionals who treat mental, emotional, and behavioral issues, but they each can use distinctive approaches.

While they often specialize in similar areas, such as marital or family relationships, substance use, and anxiety, their education, training, and licensing standards differ. Explore this guide to learn more about the key differences between therapists and counselors.

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Key Differences Between a Counselors and Therapists

Understanding the difference between a therapist and counselor is particularly important if you are considering a career as a mental health professional or seeking care for you or a family member.

Both are common terms for mental health professionals with academic backgrounds in psychology, social work, or counseling. They both use talk therapy to offer support and guidance to people, families, and groups dealing with mental, emotional, and behavioral issues.

Although bachelor degree-holders sometimes use the title of counselor or therapist, most hold advanced degrees. Training and licensure requirements differ for each, resulting in different approaches and techniques.

Counselors often use a short-term approach, setting concrete goals centered on making specific changes. Therapists or psychologists often rely on longer-term processes to uncover the root causes of the issue to help their clients achieve lasting life changes.

Counselors

Counselors help clients find solutions to specific emotional challenges and behavioral conditions that affect their mental health and well-being. Counselors often, but not always, use a short-term problem-solving approach, using techniques to help clients cope or avoid a particular problem. Counselors provide clients with practical tools to improve the quality of their lives.

Education and Training

A master’s degree in counseling or a related field provides the best pathway to state licensure. In addition to coursework in cognitive behavioral and humanistic theories, therapeutic techniques, and ethical practice, many programs offer concentrations in areas such as substance use, marriage and family, and school counseling.

Clinical licensure in most states requires a passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam and completion of about two years of supervised counseling experience.

Techniques and Interventions Used

Counselors use a variety of goal-oriented approaches that focus on better decision-making, coping skills, and conflict resolution. They rely on a diverse set of therapeutic tools including person-centered, family systems, trauma intervention, and play therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy offers a popular short-term approach that attempts to reduce negative thought patterns that impact behaviors.

Types of Counselors

Therapists

In contrast to counselors, therapists tend to use more collaborative and long-term approaches to address client-identified issues. Using a combination of talk therapy and other techniques, therapists engage in an in-depth process with clients that explores the root causes of their problems, analyzing feelings and past experiences, as a way to find solutions leading to long-lasting changes.

Education and Training

Licensed therapists typically need at least a master’s degree in psychology, psychotherapy, social work, or counseling. Like counselors, therapists must pass a licensure exam in the state where they intend to practice and complete the required hours of supervised experience.

You often need certification to practice in a specialized area such as marriage and family therapy, addictions therapy, and behavioral therapy.

Techniques and Interventions Used

While therapists and counselors often use the same approaches, therapists tend to work with clients collaboratively, using open-ended questioning and reflective techniques. In addition to cognitive behavioral therapy, they often use psychoanalytic approaches that attempt to change behavior by addressing unconscious motivations and meanings, humanistic therapy that emphasizes rational choices, or holistic approaches that integrate elements from different theoretical models.

Types of Therapists

  • Families and couples therapist
  • Addictions therapist
  • Trauma therapist
  • Domestic violence and use therapist
  • Child and adolescent therapist

How to Become a Counselor vs. Therapist

You can find an entry-level position as a counselor or therapist without a graduate degree. However, most states require a master’s degree and work experience for licensure. A four-year bachelor’s degree in counseling, psychology, education, social work, or a related field provides an appropriate foundation for graduate work for aspiring therapists or counselors. Most master’s programs take two years to complete including internships.

Counselors often earn a master’s in counseling or counseling psychology, although degree titles vary by program. Therapists generally earn a master’s degree relevant to psychotherapy, while some choose to obtain a doctorate.

Graduate programs often offer specialties in areas such as mental health, addictions, or marriage and family therapy. The process for obtaining licensure and certifications vary by state, but always require completion of supervised clinical experiences and passing national and, in some cases, state-specific examinations.

Salaries for Counselors vs. Therapists

Several factors influence earning potential for counselors and therapists, including specialties, location, and type of employer. According to 2023 Payscale data, licensed counselors and clinical therapists earn about the same annual salaries, $54,380 and $54,670 respectively.

However, therapists and counselors with in-demand specialties can earn significantly more, depending on the employer or location. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)projects a 15% increase in marriage and family therapist positions between 2022 and 2032. The average annual salary for marriage and family therapists is $63,300 but those who work in state government earn over $79,000 a year.

Substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, who make an average annual salary of $49,710, can expect an 18% increase in employment through 2023.

The top paying states for these professionals are Alaska, which pays $68,770 yearly, and Hawaii, offering salaries of $66,610. Religious and business and professional organizations pay these professionals annual salaries averaging above $80,000.

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Counselor or Therapist?

You can generally earn an undergraduate degree in any field you want. But counselors and therapists need a master's degree in a subject relevant to mental health or psychotherapy. Common degrees to become a counselor or therapist include:

Frequently Asked Questions About Counselors and Therapists

Is it easier to become a counselor or therapist?

Both careers require a significant investment of time and money and a serious commitment to achieving your academic and professional goals. The licensure and certification requirements for counselors vs. therapists are similar in most states, including a graduate degree, 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised experience, and passing the national and state-specific examinations.

Do counselors and therapists need to be licensed?

Most states require that professional or clinical counselors or therapists obtain a license in their areas of practice. Requirements vary from state to state, so prospective candidates should contact the licensure boards in the state where they intend to practice.

Is it better to see a counselor or therapist?

Choosing between a counselor vs. a therapist depends on a client's goals for treatment. Counselors provide clients with pragmatic tools to focus on problem-solving and managing emotional and behavioral challenges. Therapists use long-term and on-going approaches to understand and treat the root causes of their clients' mental health challenges.

Can a counselor or therapist diagnose?

In most states, licensed counselors or therapists may diagnose mental health disorders and administer behavioral or other types of therapy within the scope of their practice specialization. However, they cannot prescribe medication. Only medical doctors or psychiatrists with M.D.degrees may prescribe medications to treat mental health conditions.

Sources

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Average clinical therapist salary. (2023). Payscale

Licensure requirements. (n.d.). American Counseling Association

Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Salary for certification: Licensed professional counselor (LPC). (2023). Payscale

Types of mental health professionals. (n.d.). National Alliance on Mental Illness


Page last reviewed on September 24, 2023

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