Counselors usually offer short-term care, while therapists usually offer long-term care. Therapists can focus more on the past and counselors can focus more on the future. Counselors usually have a fixed number of sessions and therapists usually work continuously. Therapists are more likely to treat mental health conditions.
Another common job title in mental health counseling is that of psychologist. While therapists and counselors may be considered more similar than different, the difference is more pronounced in the case of psychologists. The terms “counselor” and “therapist” are sometimes used casually to refer to mental health professionals who offer counseling or therapy. Sometimes you can switch between one word or another, without really thinking about it.
Three of the most common positions in the mental health industry are counselor, therapist and psychologist. According to the American Association of Mental Health Counselors, licensed clinical mental health counselors take a holistic approach to mental health. Some people with counseling degrees call themselves therapists, others use the terms interchangeably, and to further complicate matters, many mental health professionals have multiple degrees. A psychologist is similar to mental health counselors and therapists in that they also work to improve the mental and emotional health of their patients.
Mental Health Match can connect you with specialized counselors and therapists to help you with your specific mental health concerns or problems. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), a mental health professional will have a master's degree or a doctorate, or a combination of both. If you're considering a career as a mental health professional, it can be exciting (and potentially overwhelming) to learn about the many jobs and career paths available to pursue. Knowing all of these different levels and types of mental health degrees can make your search less overwhelming, but when it comes down to it, finding the right option for you personally is the crucial part.
Both counselors and therapists are treatment-based mental health professionals who can help you resolve a variety of problems to achieve a better quality of life. You can go to counseling to work on your mental health goals, general well-being, or professional or educational milestones. The most common mental health licensing exams are administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), the Association of Social Work Boards, the Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards, and the Association of State and Provincial Boards of Psychology. Like counselors, therapists focus on treatments that can benefit your overall mental health and well-being.
Some believe that counseling treatments may not go as deep into how problems from previous relationships, past experiences, or deep-seated trauma can have contributed to their current mental health status. More than other degrees in the mental health field, your training involves working in bureaucratic systems such as the Division of Child Care Services or a state Department of Mental Health, says Dr. If you are seeking a mental health diagnosis, you may consider consulting a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. It's important to consider these requirements, as well as the educational level of each mental health professional in relation to their treatment needs.
