What's The Difference Between A Therapist & A Counselor?

A therapist is a licensed mental health professional who is trained in using therapeutic interventions to help people learn how to cope with mental illness or otherwise support their mental well-being. Therapy, or psychotherapy, is a specific type of treatment intended to heal or relieve a psychological or mental health issue.

"Therapists are trained to help people who are struggling with mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. They diagnose, assess, and provide treatment of mental disorders," Christine R. Melendres, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist, told mbg.

While a therapist typically works with people who are struggling with mental illness or who are looking to process their past, a counselor is more present and future-oriented, according to GinaMarie Guarino, LMHC, a licensed mental health counselor at Psychpoint. Counselors tend to focus more on coping skills and stress management to help their clients have a healthier lifestyle, according to Guarino.

"Counselors typically provide short-term, solution-focused strategies to address behaviors that include exploring stressors, coping skills, and environmental factors contributing to behaviors which are negatively impacting one's life," says Angeleena Francis, LMHC, a licensed mental health counselor, therapist, and executive director at AMFM Healthcare in Washington. 

It's also important to note that "counselor" is a general term used in many different fields, such as a guidance counselor (at school), a career counselor (at work), a spiritual counselor (in religious contexts and communities), and beyond.

While they certainly borrow from each other's playbooks, counselors and therapists may have different approaches. According to Francis, therapy often addresses underlying mental health issues such as negative core beliefs, unresolved trauma or grief, and cognitive distortions. "Therapy brings awareness of unconscious beliefs that impact the view of self and interactions with those around us," Francis tells mbg. 

On the other hand, counseling often focuses on current behavioral patterns and creates tangible strategies to address these. Because of this, counseling can also be used as a component in addition to therapy (and vice versa).

Therapists have very specific credentials and are legally required to hold a license to practice therapy in their state. "A licensed therapist has obtained a master's or doctorate level education in either clinical psychology, mental health counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, or similar field," Francis explains, "[and] has also completed requirements for state licensure, including two to three years of practicing under the supervision of a licensed and state-approved supervisor, as well as passing a state-approved exam."

Likewise, according to the American Counseling Association, professional counselors are also required by law in every state to be licensed in order to legally practice. While the specifics vary by state, licensure usually will require some kind of graduate education, passing an exam, and training under a licensed supervisor as well.

Notably, in some states, licensed counselors are also legally allowed to practice therapy and can legally refer to themselves as therapists. (This is why it gets confusing, and often the terms can be used interchangeably.)

That said, Francis notes there are some exceptions in which some types of counselors may be allowed to practice without state licensure.

Groups commonly exempt from licensure might include students in graduate programs working under supervision, members of the clergy in the performance of their religious duties in connection with a religious denomination, and employees of federal, state, and local agencies acting in an official capacity.

Therapy addresses mental health diagnoses and focuses on the individual's process, whereas counseling focuses on obtaining a measurable outcome or goal. This is why, according to Francis, therapy is typically long term, whereas counseling often is short term. (Again, these are generalizations—there are tons of therapeutic approaches that are short term and plenty of counselors who have long-term clients.)

"Therapeutic goals include emotional regulation, improved interpersonal relationships, ability to connect with others, and stabilized mood," says Francis.

"Counseling goals include identifying triggers and coping skills, abstaining from substances, creating healthy lifestyle habits, and action plans such as steps to reach a goal, evaluating barriers, and creating strategies to address barriers."

In order to find a provider to best fit your needs, consider your goals. According to Guarino, if your goal includes processing pains and resentments of the past or learning how to cope with a mental health condition, you may want to consider seeking a therapist. You may also consider seeking services from a therapist if you are in need of treatment for a diagnosed mental health condition.

If your goal is to learn skills to cope with current and future-oriented life stressors, relationship issues, or self-esteem, you may want to consult with a counselor—or a therapist who works with more present-moment modalities.

If you're working through a period of grief and typically feel balanced in your mental health, you also might want to seek a counselor for this shorter-term need. (Often, counselors will have a specialty—e.g., grief counselor, addiction counselor, etc.)

When trying to find a therapist or counselor, remember that a good fit and comfort level are important above all. 

Psychotherapist Rachel Wright, LMFT, recommends doing free consultation calls with three different providers to see how each feels, how they work, and how you click. "Finding a therapist is like dating in the way that you sometimes have to go on a bunch of first dates (aka consults) to find one you want to continue dating (seeing as your therapist or counselor)," she explains.

Regardless of whether you're entering into therapy, counseling, or even coaching, it is important to honestly self-assess your overall readiness for counseling or therapy. You've got to really want to do the work or to change for any modality to be truly effective. 

"You must also keep in mind that change, progress, and growth will not happen immediately," Guarino adds. "It will take time to see results, so do not get discouraged if you do not feel better right away." 

Though there are clear differences between a counselor and a therapist, both types of practitioners share methods and take inspiration from each other's processes. Many practitioners use aspects of both modalities, and there is a lot of overlap.

Focus on how comfortable you feel around the practitioner, your overall connection and rapport, and if you could see yourself being consistently vulnerable and honest with this person. Also, keep in mind that if you choose a certain counselor or therapist and it doesn't end up working out, you can always transition to a new practitioner.