Counselor or Therapist?
If you are looking for a therapist or if you are thinking of becoming one yourself, there are a few things to consider. I was overwhelmed when I started to look into what licenses and direction I wanted to go. My psychology professors were critical in helping me understand their own experiences and ultimately decide what route was best for my career goals. I’d like to be that person for you!
Let’s discuss what differences there are between the terms counselor and therapist. I remember asking this question in graduate school and being told - there is no difference! Both titles are often used interchangeable and refer to the same thing. Therapists provide counseling... Counselors provide therapy… If this is the case, then why are their two terms?
Caldwell (2023) does a great job of breaking down the history of both titles.
A therapist is someone who provides psychotherapy, which is a fancy word for talk therapy. This is what I do! I provide someone with support and empathy through hearing their story and diving deeper into what is bothering them through conversation. A therapist is a broader term for many different licensures, but therapists usually have a master’s degree or specialized training to provide psychotherapy.
A counselor is someone who has training in counseling. For example, I have my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. Counseling as a field is generally considered new. It started with career counseling as veterans returned home from war and sought out services for career development. Counseling has since evolved and become what it is today. Similarly to therapists, most counselors require at least a master’s degree.
All in all, both titles are very similar and can be used synonymously There are many routes to finding yourself working in mental health. No path is linear, mine certainly was not!
If you are wanting to explore next steps towards becoming a counselor, generally folks complete an undergraduate degree in social sciences such as psychology or sociology. The next step would be completing a graduate degree in a program focused on counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy. Some individuals choose to complete their doctorate as well. Each program and each state will have different requirements for completing the graduate or doctoral program.
Over the next couple of weeks, I will be writing details on how to become a counselor. If you would like more information on the topic, feel free to reach out! I am very passionate about this process and love helping others find what direction is right for them! There are so many buzz words and fancy lingos that can be difficult to decipher. I’d be happy to help!
Until next week,
Rachael
Reference:
Caldwell, B. (2023, April 17). What’s the difference between therapy, counseling, and coaching? SimplePractice. https://www.simplepractice.com/blog/whats-the-difference-between-therapy-counseling-coaching/