What Is The Difference Between A Therapist And a Counselor?
People often confuse "counselor" with "therapist" and think that they both mean the same thing. However, these two professionals are not identical. Their distinctions are based on the institution's requirements and the training and license. Essentially, a counselor and a therapist are the means to the client's mental health and life problems.
Major differences between them are as follows:
- Degree requirements
- Particular forms of supervision and instruction
- Licenses and certifications
You must go for a licensed and regulated professional in your state, whether you pick a counselor or therapist in Arlington, TX!
Learn more about the main differences between therapists and counselors to clear up your confusion when looking for the right treatment program.
Understanding the Terms: Therapist vs. Counselor
What is a therapist?
A therapist is a person who has been trained to help people emotionally, mentally, and with their communication skills. They can be working with individuals, families, or groups, and in places such as schools, homes, clinics, or via the internet.
What Does a Therapist Do?
A usual day could be a combination of:
- Individual meetings with children, young adults, or parents.
- Using dialogue, play, artwork, or games to discover one's thoughts and emotions.
- Providing emotional support and co-regulation when difficult times arise.
- Overseeing the training of employees or being a part of the therapeutic team.
What is a counselor?
A counselor generally refers to a mental health professional who helps and supports individuals in their personal, emotional, and psychological health. Through different methods in a professional counseling capacity, they support individuals, groups, or families in solving issues.
What Does a Counselor Do?
- Collaborate with individuals, groups, and communities in enhancing mental health.
- Encourage clients to share their emotions and experiences.
- Examine problems such as substance abuse, aging, bullying, anger management, careers, depression, relationships, LGBTQ issues, self-image, stress, and suicide.
- Work with families
Therapeutic Approaches and Techniques in Counseling
A therapist may be fascinated by various types of therapy and different counseling techniques. Generally, counseling is linked to broader counseling approaches, and a counselor can be trained in one or more of these approaches. These approaches are:
- Person-centred
- Gestalt
- Humanistic
- Bereavement counseling
Conversely, treatment might be more frequently linked to certain psychotherapeutic interventions, like:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT)
It is possible that therapists have specialized in a particular therapeutic technique (for instance, CBT) and thus, may refer to themselves only as a cognitive behavioral therapist, for example.
Licensed Counselor
Licensed Therapists
Treatment Plans
Deliver various therapeutic practices to patients that primarily focus on problem-solving.
Try to figure out the cause of the patient's problems by using talk therapy and other models.
Minimum Education
Master's degree, 2-3 years of professional training.
Master's degree, 2-3 years of professional training
Degree
Master of Science in Counseling Psychology
Master of Science in Psychology, Social Work, or Counseling Psychology
Median Salary
$83.3k
$62.3k
What Do Therapy and Counseling Sessions Focus On?
Generally, in counseling, the emphasis is shifted towards temporary or short-term aspects of life and discovering methods to handle current problems and emotions. Basically, your therapist will evaluate your emotional state at the moment and the impact it has on your daily wellness.
While in therapy, you will also dig into the 'back story' of your issues, besides being aware of the 'here and now,' to find out the root cause of these. As a result, you will be able to figure out how your prior experiences have affected your current mood, question the manner in which you react to them, and take the next step.
Therapist or Counselor: Which One Do You Need?
Deciding on a counselor or therapist is dependent on the type of help you require. Both therapists and counselors in Arlington, TX can provide services in their privately owned practices. However, these experts might also be employed in:
- Schools
- Universities
- Group practices
- Clinics
- Social services
Here are some tips on how to select a professional depending on the treatment results you are expecting.
Short vs. Long-Term Treatment
Maybe you are looking for assistance in handling short-term issues that are not a result of a long-term mental health condition. Or perhaps you are seeking treatments that can explore the depth of a situation that has been going on for a long time, such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger issues
- Trauma
- Addiction
In the longer term, one of the professionals can even take you through the depths of the causes of the problems, as well as any unpleasant experiences from the past that may be related to the situation.
The decision depends on:
- Your goals
- Your clinician's approach
- The price of the treatment and the amount of time that can be devoted to it.
Education and Background
You could also compare a potential psychologist's education and experience aside from their different treatment areas.
For instance, if you need support because of depression or problems within the family, you should decide on a professional whose skill is in that area rather than one who is a specialist in couples therapy.
Mental health treatment can be less intimidating if you find a professional who gets your point of view. As an illustration, a few therapists or counselors have undergone training or have experience to be:
- Individuals who have had particular life experiences, e.g., trauma or abuse
- People of colour
- People with different sexual and gender identities
Budget and Location
Your budget and place will also be factors to consider.
If you are insured, it might be a good idea to begin with a call to your insurance company to ask about mental health coverage and get a list of in-network professionals to make your treatment less expensive.
If you are attending a school, mental health services at both school and university levels may provide free sessions to students and also have offices located on the campus for convenience.
A clinic or community health center could present the alternatives at a lower price for therapists and counselors.
Looking for the right therapist? Check out our guide on “What Should You Look For in a Therapist in Arlington, Texas?”, which helps you make an informed choice on your healing journey!
Need Help? Find the Right Fit at Therapy Central!
Ultimately, if you battle with your mental health or simply want to have a conversation with a professional about the things that happen in your life, you must seek assistance. Therapy Central is the place where you can get the help you need. No matter if you see a counselor or a therapist in Arlington, TX, we are the experienced team that can help you figure out your issues and regain your stability.
Key Takeaway
Both counselors and therapists are supportive professionals from the treatment-based mental health field who can help you solve a range of problems and, as a result, live a better life.
Remember that the words "counselor" and "therapist" might be interchanged and have some common areas, but these two professionals are different regarding their training and licensing. Besides, don't forget that you might be seeing different therapists or counselors during your treatment!
FAQs
What are the signs that I need therapy?
If you have a hard time with constant sadness, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed; are going through major life changes, are having trouble with relationships, are losing interest in activities, or are noticing changes in sleep or appetite, you might need therapy.
Which is better for depression?
A general practitioner might suggest that you go on a course of antidepressants along with talking therapy, especially if your depression is very intense. One of these treatments, i.e., either an antidepressant or CBT, is usually less effective than their combination.
What to say in the first therapy session?
In your initial few therapy sessions, you will discuss with the therapist your reasons for seeking therapy. You will discuss what parts of your life have been painful, complex, or, at the very least, not working as well as you would have liked.
What are the 4 stages of therapy?
Psychotherapy has four phases: commitment, process, change, and termination. The phases go one after another in order to help with the emotional healing and to foster personal growth.
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