What is the Difference Between Counseling and Therapy? A Therapist Explains
By By Lauren Krouse. Medically Reviewed by Marni Amsellem, PhD,
2024-08-27
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Key Takeaways
Counseling and therapy are two terms sometimes used interchangeably because they're very similar.
The greatest difference between the two is the training and license of the provider.
Don't worry too much about choosing counseling or therapy. Instead focus on finding treatment that can address your concerns and a licensed therapist you connect with.
The world of mental health treatment can be confusing. There are various titles, such as counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists . Chances are you've even seen "life coaches" promising you mental health help too. Then there's the jumble of letters after each provider's name.
The truth is, therapy and counseling are two terms that are sometimes used interchangeably, which makes things very confusing. And when you're in emotional pain, your greatest focus is on getting better. We're here to help unscramble these confusing terms so you can find the care that you need. Read on to learn more about the difference between counseling and therapy and how to figure out the best option for you.
What Is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is mental health treatment that uses evidence-based techniques that get you to talk about what you're feeling, the symptoms you're experiencing, and your environment (like your family, friends, work, etc). Examples of these techniques are active listening to validate your experience, reflecting back to you what you're saying to help you gain clarity, and connecting your present stressors to your past experiences. Eventually, a trusting relationship between you and your therapist is established, which can be very healing in and of itself. The goal of therapy and these techniques are to help you to gain additional insight into yourself and help you to feel better by lessening your symptoms.
Psychotherapy can help people dealing with a number of mental health conditions, such as:
Sometimes people also choose to attend therapy because they're stressed or experiencing relationship issues. You don't need to have a diagnosed mental health condition to benefit from therapy.
Adults, couples, teens, and kids can all benefit from psychotherapy treatment. Group therapy is another great option: It's a form of therapy in which a group with a similar shared experience comes together to meet regularly. A therapist will guide the group through discussing various topics. Group therapy can be helpful in validating challenging experiences, strengthening relationship-building skills, and building community.
Who Can Provide Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy can be provided by mental health professionals who have received the appropriate education (usually at least a master's degree in a mental health program) and secured the relevant licensing.
The licensure process varies by state and license, but it typically requires mental health professionals to complete a graduate program, a certain number of supervised client hours, and continuing education units. The licensure process is dictated by the state's regulating body, also referred to as the licensing board. The licensing board, comprised of various employees and departments, is responsible for verifying every therapist's education, supervised client hours, and continuing education units and ensuring those who are practicing are doing so in adherence with state and federal laws as well as the relevant code of ethics. The licensing board is very important because they are the people to which issues with therapists can be reported.
With the proper licensure and training, the following professionals can provide therapy:
Licensed marriage and family therapists
Licensed counselors
Licensed clinical social workers
Licensed clinical psychologists
Psychiatric nurses
Psychiatrists
Psychiatric nurse practitioner
The difference between each of these titles is the type of education the professional pursued:
Marriage and family therapists earn master's degrees in marriage and family therapy.
A clinical social worker will obtain a master's degree in social work.
Psychologists either earn a doctorate in psychology (PsyD) or a PhD in psychology.
Psychiatric nurses are mental health nurses and attend psychiatric mental health nursing programs.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners attend graduate nurse practitioner programs. Some are at the master's level and others are doctorate programs. Psychiatric nurse practitioners can prescribe medication.
Psychiatrists , meanwhile, have attended medical school, have an MD or DO, and have completed their residency in psychiatry before becoming board-certified. That is why they can prescribe medication.
What Is Counseling?
While the definition of psychotherapy focuses on treating various disorders using clinically informed interventions, the definition of counseling is a bit more vague.
Counseling is very similar to therapy in that it is another form of support to help you overcome various issues in your life. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), these issues can range from emotional to even educational and life-stage issues. This means you could seek out counseling for everything from an anxiety disorder to struggles with settling into retirement.
Rather than focusing on interventions, the definition of counseling suggests active listening and advice are big parts of how change is created. This definition of counseling may leave you wondering how it differs from therapy. We asked Steven M. Sultanoff, PhD , a psychologist and adjunct professor at Pepperdine University who trains therapists, to help provide a bit more clarity. "Therapists serve as ‘facilitators' for client growth," he explained, "while counselors tend to serve more as ‘advisers' who can provide short-term advice for specific problems."
For example, a counselor could support you as you recover from substance use disorder by suggesting coping skills, while a therapist may help you explore the link between trauma and the urge to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol.
Similar to psychotherapy, counseling is available for adults, couples, teens, families, children, and groups (which is also typically referred to as group therapy).
Who Can Provide Counseling?
Like with psychotherapy, counseling can be provided by licensed mental health providers. The most common licensed professionals who provide counseling are clinical counselors and licensed clinical social workers.
However, while it is essential that psychotherapy is provided by a licensed professional, there are also some circumstances where counseling may be provided by someone who isn't necessarily licensed.
Peer counselors are a good example of this. A peer counselor is someone who has experienced a particular hardship, like domestic violence , and then receives training from an organization specializing in their hardship on how to support others navigating similar issues. The peer counselor will then provide support to those folks, providing a unique perspective as someone who has survived the same thing themselves.
Life coaches (who sometimes refer to themselves as mental health coaches) are practitioners who are not licensed and do not have to adhere to any regulatory body, which is why coaching is not the same as therapy.
Coaching is a form of support that is very goal-oriented, with hopes of supporting folks in making tangible changes in their lives. Therapy can be goal-oriented, but it will always be focused on reducing distressing mental health symptoms, whether that is general stress or a serious mental health condition.
Additionally, coaches have no educational requirements, again, because they're not governed by a regulatory body. If you come across a coach promising to help you "heal your trauma" or overcome a mental health condition, be aware that they have not obtained the relevant clinical training to ethically offer these services.
How Do State Regulations Come Into Play?
Every state has its own rules and regulations regarding licensure requirements. This means that some states may allow counselors to provide care after receiving their bachelor's degree, while others may require a master's degree.
Additionally, in some states a psychotherapist may be able to practice independently immediately after graduating from a master's program, while other states require years of supervised experience and training first. Supervised experience and training refers to a prelicensed clinician working under a supervisor who is licensed and has years of experience in mental health work.
That's why we suggest not getting too hung up on what all the titles and licensing restrictions mean. Instead, when you find someone you feel might be a good fit to help you, ask them to explain their qualifications and licensing. If they are not licensed and do not have specific training like an experienced peer counselor, we recommend you continue your search. The benefit of working with someone licensed is that there are rules regarding how your privacy is protected and the training the provider has received - and, should it become necessary, a formal system for filing complaints.
If You're Still Confused, It's Okay
There is a lot of overlap between counseling and psychotherapy, and even amongst therapists and counselors there is some disagreement.
Halcy Driskell, LPC , a licensed professional counselor and director of behavioral health at Sandstone Care in Colorado Springs, Colorado, differentiates between counseling and therapy in this way: "While both therapy and counseling involve active listening," she says, "therapy is broader, addressing deeper mental health concerns and patterns."
However, not everyone agrees with this differentiation.
Shaywanna Harris-Pierre, PhD , a licensed professional counselor in private practice in Austin, Texas, and associate professor of professional counseling at Texas State University , points out that therapists' and counselors' roles often overlap.
"Professionally, clinicians may refer to themselves as a therapist or counselor based on their training and license," she says. "Personally, as someone who has a degree in marriage and family therapy as well as counselor education, I tend to use the terms interchangeably."
Angela Dube, LMFT , a licensed marriage and family therapist and life coach in Salem, Oregon, also sees the two as interchangeable. "Counseling and therapy are so closely related that I don't consider them to be any different," she says. Dube, too, works in both worlds. Technically, she is a licensed therapist, but her degree is in counseling psychology, and she also provides life coaching apart from her work as a therapist.
Ultimately, we believe the best treatment for you is the one designed to meet your concern - and counseling might be just that.
How to Find a Mental Health Professional
Finding a mental health professional, whether that be a therapist or a counselor, doesn't have to be difficult. There are plenty of directories out there to get you started. Here are some resources to check out:
Online Therapist Directories
Inclusive Therapists offers a wide roster of providers all with different focuses and modalities throughout the United States.
As you peruse these directories, you'll want to begin making a list of the therapists you'd like to reach out to: Most therapists offer a free phone consultation. Before the call, make sure you're clear on your budget , and jot down any questions you have for the provider. Be sure to ask about their qualifications, and don't be afraid to shop around for a bit until you speak to someone you feel comfortable with. After all, one of the biggest factors in successful mental health treatment is a strong relationship between the client and provider.
If you think you might be interested in online therapy or counseling, we can help. Check out our lists of the best services for:
Many of these teletherapy companies will either help match you with a therapist based on a series of intake questions or at least help you narrow down your options with a curated list.
Bottom Line
There are endless reasons to seek out therapy and various ways you can receive therapy. The bottom line is this: If you feel like you need extra support, reach out to a therapist who specializes in the issues you're struggling with, make sure they have an active license by simply asking them, and don't be afraid to switch to a new therapist if you don't feel comfortable with the one you've selected. Let this article serve as a guide to the various options available, and trust that the right support is out there for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need therapy or counseling?
The answer to this question may be different for everyone. However, if you're experiencing life stressors, mental health symptoms, or a sense that something is just off, it may be time to seek out therapy. Another way to determine this is to consider if the discomfort you're feeling is distressing , recurrent, and negatively impacting your daily life.
Can a therapist or counselor prescribe medication?
Only a psychiatrist, other physician, or psychiatric nurse can prescribe medication . These two professionals can also provide psychotherapy.
Is therapy or counseling covered by insurance?
Sometimes. Give your insurance company a call and ask about your mental health benefits. They can let you know what is covered by your plan and if you have any out-of-network benefits. Be sure to ask if there are any limitations to licenses.
How much does therapy cost?
The cost of therapy varies based on your insurance status and healthcare provider. To ensure you're getting the best deal, review your coverage with your insurance provider, seek in-network therapists, and compare prices.
What is the difference between a life coach and a counselor? The main difference between a life coach and a licensed counselor lies in their training, expertise, and regulations. "Anyone can become a life coach. There is no required standard training or licensing process," says Dube. While there are some programs to train and certify life coaches, there's no federal or state regulation or governing board to oversee them. Life coaches can support you as you set and pursue life goals, but they cannot diagnose or treat mental health conditions. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy . We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
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