Counseling vs. Therapy: Understanding the Key Differences

Mental health has become an essential aspect of our overall well-being. From stress at work to personal struggles, the need for professional support has never been greater.

Mental health support comes in many forms, but two of the most common are counseling and therapy. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they serve different purposes and can offer varying types of assistance depending on your needs. Understanding the difference between counseling and therapy is crucial in deciding the best route for personal support.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what makes these practices distinct, when each might be appropriate and how William & Mary’s Online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program can help you embark on a fulfilling career in this vital field.

Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers individuals to accomplish mental health, wellness, education and career goals.¹

At its core, counseling is about providing guidance, support and a listening ear to those navigating life’s challenges.² Counselors and clients work together to build strategies and set realistic goals, giving the client confidence to make positive life changes.¹

There are many different types of counseling, each tailored to address specific issues. For instance, career counseling helps individuals find the right career path, while school counseling assists students in managing academic and social pressures. Couples counseling focuses on relationships, while grief counseling supports those dealing with loss. All counseling sessions provide a safe space for people to have an open dialogue to discuss their feelings and thoughts.¹

Therapy, often referred to as psychotherapy, is a more in-depth treatment that focuses on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.² Therapists work with individuals to uncover deep-seated issues, often rooted in past experiences and develop strategies to cope with them. Common mental health issues treated in therapy include depression, anxiety, trauma and personality disorders.³

Therapists employ a range of techniques to help clients. The treatments used in therapy are usually theory-driven and backed by protocols.

Therapy will look different depending on the patient and can involve talking, music, art and movement. Therapists may use the patient’s experiences and emotions as the foundation of their therapy and then dive deeper into the patient’s core issues.

Many people who seek therapy do so to reduce specific symptoms and to be able to function better in their everyday lives.³

While counseling and therapy both offer support and guidance, they differ significantly in their approach, duration and depth of intervention.

Counseling is typically a short-term process. Sessions might last a few weeks to several months, focusing on specific issues or life events. For example, someone might only receive a few career counseling sessions because they only needed guidance around a specific aspect of their career path.¹

Therapy, on the other hand, can be a longer-term commitment. Clients might see a therapist for several months or even years, especially when dealing with chronic mental health conditions.³

For conditions like depression and anxiety, individuals may need regular sessions over a long period of time because their progress requires monitoring.¹

Counseling tends to focus on current issues and providing practical solutions. It’s about helping clients navigate immediate challenges and make informed decisions.³ Therapy, however, often delves into a broader range of mental health issues and explores the past and how historical experiences shape current behavior and mental health.¹

The intervention in counseling is usually less intense than in therapy. Counseling addresses surface-level issues, helping clients manage their everyday lives.

Counselors do not treat or diagnose mental health disorders. They provide problem-solving and goal-setting strategies to help their clients navigate their lives.¹

Therapy goes deeper, tackling complex mental health conditions and emotional problems that may require significant time, effort and technique to resolve. Examples of these techniques include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Each of these approaches explores a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors, delving into the underlying causes of mental health issues.³

Clients are offered the tools to manage their conditions and improve their quality of life. This can include developing new ways of thinking, accepting uncomfortable feelings and changing unhealthy patterns.³

Becoming a counselor or therapist involves rigorous education, training and licensure, but key differences exist in each pathway.

Counselors typically hold a master’s degree in counseling, psychology or a related field. Students need to decide what kind of counselor they want to be as they will take courses related to their specialty. Examples of counseling specialties include addiction, career, school, rehabilitation and marriage/family counseling.⁴

Therapists need a master’s degree as well. Some examples of therapy degrees include Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and Master of Arts in Psychology.

Some therapy positions, especially those in clinical settings, require a doctorate.⁵

Both counselors and therapists must be licensed in the state where they practice. To obtain their license, they must pass a licensing exam. Before they can take this exam, they must undergo extensive training, including supervised clinical experience. Depending on the license and program, a counselor usually needs to have 2,000 to 3,000 hours of training experience to be eligible for a license.

Counselors who want to treat a wider range of clients can pursue additional certifications, like marriage counseling. This training period is much longer for therapists, usually about two years. These programs are longer because students receive additional training in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders.⁵

The most important skills counselors and therapists must possess are strong communication, empathy and problem-solving skills. They need to be able to identify with their clients so their clients will be comfortable opening up to them.

Once they have established that open line of communication, counselors and therapists must find the right solutions for their clients based on what they hear and then communicate those solutions effectively.⁶

As a licensed mental health counselor with an advanced degree such as a graduate degree, such as an Online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, the day begins with reviewing client notes and preparing for appointments. Sessions often focus on helping individuals navigate specific life challenges like relationship issues, job stress or a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression.

Throughout the day, the licensed counselor works with clients to address mental health issues and develop coping skills. These sessions might include talk therapy, setting goals or providing tools to manage emotional struggles. For clients with more complex conditions like borderline personality disorder, the counselor may practice therapy techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

In between sessions, administrative tasks like documentation and coordinating with other healthcare providers ensure comprehensive care. Working in the mental health field, LMHCs contribute to clients' well-being by offering support and strategies for healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Choosing between counseling and therapy depends on your specific needs and circumstances.

Counseling is ideal for individuals facing situational challenges, such as career decisions, relationship issues or adjusting to a new life stage. It’s a great option when you need guidance and support in navigating immediate concerns.³

For instance, a student struggling with the pressures of school might benefit from counseling to develop coping strategies and time management skills.

Therapy, on the other hand, is better suited for individuals dealing with more complex mental health issues. Conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD or bipolar disorder often require the more intensive, long-term treatment that therapy provides.³ A person struggling with deep-seated trauma, for instance, would likely need the expertise of a therapist trained in trauma-focused therapy to work through these issues effectively.

While there is some overlap between counseling and therapy, especially when it comes to supporting mental health, both can help individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms, improve relationships and lead more fulfilling lives.

Understanding the distinction between the two can help you make a more informed decision about the type of support that’s right for you.

Deciding on the right form of mental health support is a personal journey. Finding the right professional to guide you is crucial, whether you’re seeking counseling for a specific issue or therapy for deeper mental health concerns.

If you’re ready to advance your career in this field, William & Mary’s Online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills and experience needed to excel in this rewarding field.

William & Mary’s counseling courses allow you to learn from experienced faculty, engage in hands-on training and prepare to make a meaningful impact on others’ lives.

For more information about the program, course offerings or admissions, please schedule an appointment with an admissions advisor today. Your journey toward a fulfilling career in mental health support starts here.