Therapist or Counselor: How to Choose

When you are feeling bad about life and want to talk to a qualified professional, how do you know whether to select a counselor or a therapist? This is a good question and one that does not have a real clear answer because there is significant overlap between the roles of a therapist and a counselor. The intent of this article is to help define the similarities and differences between a counselor and a therapist.

Similarities between a counselor and a therapist

One of the reasons it is confusing to know what a therapist does versus a counselor, is because basically they do the same things. They are both mental health professionals who talk with their clients in an effort to support them to make life changes. Their intent is that their clients will be able to increase their satisfaction with life and solve the problem(s) that brought them to see a counselor or therapist in the first place.

Another similarity between a counselor and therapist is they have both been trained in mental health techniques and methods they can utilize with clients to help them reach the goal they had for seeking a counselor or therapist. In addition, both types of professionals guide clients to establish a goal they want to achieve through the counseling process.

Differences between a counselor and a therapist

Probably the greatest difference you will find between a counselor and a therapist is related to their level and type of education. If someone wants to call herself a counselor or a therapist and work with people on an informal level this can happen. Some examples of this type of counselor would be going to a lawyer for legal counseling or to a financial counselor. If you are going to work with this individual, it is important for you know and accept they do not have formal training, certifications, or licenses to practice as a mental health professional.

Typically, counselors and therapists have spent many years in school acquiring the knowledge and expertise to work as a certified, licensed mental health professional. This educational preparation includes formal supervision from a qualified mental health professional.

These degrees and certificates differ according to whether the individual is going to call themselves a counselor or a therapist. School counselors have different training than a social worker who is trained as a family therapist, or someone who is trained to be a music therapist, or a cognitive therapist.

How do you know whether to choose a counselor or a therapist?

Making the decision about working with someone whose educational title is counselor or therapist can be accomplished by talking to the person with whom you may work. BY talking to them and asking them about their ideas about personal change and their background, you can sense whether you feel comfortable with them. Comfort helps trust develop and trusting your counselor or therapist is critical.