Counselor vs Therapist?

The terms "counselor" and "therapist" are often used interchangeably ...

Counselor vs Therapist?

The terms "counselor" and "therapist" are often used interchangeably ...

Counselor vs Therapist?

The terms "counselor" and "therapist" are often used interchangeably ...


Counselor vs Therapist?

There are many different types of mental health professionals. The terms "counselor" and "therapist" are often used interchangeably, which makes sense because there are many similarities. Counselors and therapists both treat a wide variety of conditions in many different settings. For example, counselors and therapists may treat children with anxiety and depression in a school-based setting. Other counselors and therapists may specialize in the treatment of developmental disorders and provide services in the client’s home or in an office with other mental health professionals.

Those who distinguish counselors from therapists equate counselors with treating emotional or social issues and therapists with helping individuals with deeply-seated mental health disorders. However, mental health practitioners also differ in their scope of practice. For example, marriage and family therapists receive training to provide couples and family therapy, whereas psychologists receive the training required for conducting psychological testing. There are many different types of mental health professionals.

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Counselors typically work with people who need help with emotional issues or social problems, while therapists focus on more serious psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Looking for more information about counseling? Click here to learn how much do counselors make.


Other Frequently Asked Questions


The National Counselor Examination (NCE) is a licensing exam that is required for counselor licensure in many states. This article will explore what you should know about this exam before taking it. The NBCC describes the NCE as follows: "The purpose of the NCE is to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities viewed as important for providing effective counseling services. The NCE is comprised of 200 multiple choice questions and is scheduled for a 4-hour period."

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The length of time allotted for the National Clinical Mental Health Examination is 3 hours and 15 minutes. The exam consists of 10 simulated clinical mental health counseling cases. Each case study includes 5-10 sections. Each section contains prompts for information gathering and decision making.

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LPCC stands for licensed professional clinical counselor. LPCCs who have obtained licensure treat clients who are facing behavioral disorders. The National Counselor Exam (NCE) is one requirement for becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). To become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), you must first graduate from an accredited program or a program housed within a regionally accredited institution.

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The median annual salary for counselors was $47,500 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are many educational paths to becoming a counselor, all with varying time commitments. In order to become a licensed mental health counselor, you will need to obtain an undergraduate degree, as well as a master’s degree in Counseling or Counseling Psychology. Some mental health counselors also hold doctorate degrees.

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