You’ve been scrolling through provider profiles trying to figure out the difference between a counselor vs. therapist, and at some point it stops feeling helpful and starts feeling like information overload.
Every name comes with a new cluster of letters—LMHC, LCSW, LPC, LMFT—and you’re left trying to connect each title and credential to what it actually means for your mental health care.
“Counselor” and “therapist” are often used interchangeably. But, depending on someone’s background and specialization, a provider may choose one title over another to convey what type of support they offer. So it’s worth knowing the difference, even if there’s a lot of overlap between the two.
Let’s break those differences down clearly, so you can feel more confident about the provider you choose and the care you’ll receive.
Counselor vs. Therapist: The Short Answer
Many people search for the difference between a counselor and a therapist, but the truth is these terms have a lot of overlap in the mental health arena. For instance, both counselors and therapists provide talk therapy, support clients through mental health challenges, and use many of the same evidence-based approaches (like cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy).
So what’s the real difference between a counselor vs. therapist?
A therapist is a trained mental health professional who provides therapy to address emotional, behavioral, and psychological concerns. You might hear titles like psychotherapist or mental health therapist—they’re all referring to licensed providers of therapy. Therapists help clients work through a wide range of concerns, from everyday stress to diagnosed mental health conditions like anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more.
A counselor is a broad term used for professionals trained in counseling psychology, mental health counseling, social work, or related medical fields. When we refer to a mental health counselor, we mean a counselor who focuses specifically on supporting clients with mental and emotional concerns.
We’ll break down the technical differences in the sections below, but it’s important to remember that in everyday conversation, “counselor” and “therapist” are often used interchangeably.
What Is a Therapist?
A therapist is a licensed mental health provider who offers structured, evidence-based treatment. Therapists help people identify and address their emotional, behavioral, and psychological patterns. That might include things like managing stress, navigating life changes, understanding relationship patterns, and treating mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Therapists draw from a mix of evidence-based treatment methods, all of which have been shown in research to make a real difference, including:
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
- DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Mindfulness-based interventions
Many therapists specialize in specific clinical areas or populations, such as trauma, couples therapy, mood disorders, or grief. They typically hold licenses such as:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), depending on state
A therapist might have a PhD or PsyD if they’re also a psychologist. And some psychiatrists (with an MD) may also provide therapy, though many choose to focus primarily on medication management.
Whether you’re searching for anxiety therapy, online therapy, or specialized trauma treatment, a therapist can offer long-term support and personalized care based on your needs.
What Is a Counselor?
A counselor is a mental health professional trained in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field. Counselors help clients clarify goals, build coping skills, process emotional challenges, and navigate life’s stressors.
A mental health counselor may:
- Conduct mental health assessments
- Provide short-term or long-term therapy
- Offer tools for coping with anxiety, stress, depression, or relationship conflict
- Support clients through major life changes
- Collaborate on treatment plans tailored to the client’s needs
Common counselor job titles include:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Qualified Mental Health Professional
Counselors may provide both structured, skills-based support and in-depth therapeutic work depending on their training and area of focus.
How to Choose Between a Counselor and a Therapist
Since "counselor" and "therapist" are overlapping terms in the mental health field, choosing between them isn't really about the title itself, it's about finding the right mental health professional for your specific needs. Here are a few things to focus on when choosing:
Their area of specialization
One of the most helpful ways to choose the right provider is by looking at what they specialize in and the types of concerns they’re trained to treat. For instance, here are a few specializations you might look for when finding a counselor or therapist:
- Marriage and family therapy: Focuses on relationship dynamics, communication patterns, and family systems to help couples and families navigate challenges together.
- Substance use disorder and addiction: Supports people dealing with alcohol or drug use by addressing underlying emotional factors, relapse prevention, and long-term recovery strategies.
- Trauma and PTSD: Trauma-informed therapy helps individuals process traumatic experiences and reduce symptoms related to post-traumatic stress through specialized therapeutic approaches.
- Anxiety and mood disorders: Works with conditions like generalized anxiety, panic, depression, and bipolar disorder, using targeted strategies to manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.
- Grief counseling: Provides support for processing the emotional impact of losing a loved one or experiencing major life changes, promoting healthier coping and healing.
Their therapeutic approach
What modalities, or therapy approaches, do they use? Some providers focus on CBT, while others might use DBT, EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, or an integrative approach.
Their experience working with specific populations
If you need a provider who specializes in eating disorders, understands neurodivergence, offers LGBTQ+ affirming care, or works with teens, make sure to choose someone whose background includes experience with those populations.
Your comfort level
Do you feel comfortable talking to them? The therapeutic relationship is one of the most important factors in successful treatment. Finding a therapist who is a good fit is what truly drives the work forward
Practical considerations
What's their availability? Do they offer virtual or in-person sessions? Are they in-network with your insurance?
Ready to See a Counselor or a Therapist?
Whether you decide to work with a counselor or a therapist, taking that first step toward mental health support is something to be proud of. If you're still wondering whether therapy is right for you, start by reading these 10 things nobody tells you about starting therapy or some of the most frequently asked questions about therapy.
Starting therapy doesn't have to be complicated or take months. With Spring Health, you can:
Find an in-network provider in minutes
Skip the endless searching and get matched with qualified professionals who take your insurance.
See accurate, up-to-date availability and get seen as soon as tomorrow
Whether you prefer virtual sessions or in-person appointments, you can find providers with openings that fit your schedule.
Fill out a self-assessment to help you and your provider know exactly where to start
Our personalized assessment helps match you with the right provider and gives them valuable context about your needs from day one.
Keep care going between sessions
Access free, on-demand resources, self-guided tools, and stay connected with your provider between appointments.
Ready to get started? Connect with a counselor or therapist today and take the first step toward feeling better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does one have better training than the other?
Not necessarily. Both receive graduate-level training and clinical supervision. The real difference lies in their focus: some counselors are trained more in skills-based support and goal setting, while many therapists receive deeper training in long-term mental health treatment.
Are either allowed to prescribe medication?
Neither counselors nor therapists can prescribe medication, unless they also happen to be a psychiatrist. Only psychiatrists (with an MD or DO), psychiatric nurse practitioners, and primary care physicians can prescribe medication.
Does the cost vary between counselors and therapists?
Often, no. Cost usually depends on insurance, location, and provider experience, not whether they’re labeled “counselor” or “therapist.” With Spring Health, both counselors and therapists are available in-network to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
How do I decide if I'm still unsure?
If you're uncertain, choose based on specialization, not title. Look at what issues they treat, what modalities they use, and how well their approach aligns with your goals. A short consult can help you tell whether they're the right fit. And, keep in mind, you can always switch from a counselor to a therapist (or vice versa) if it turns out not to be the right fit.
Can they diagnose mental health conditions?
In most states, both can diagnose conditions like anxiety disorders, depression, or PTSD, except where state laws restrict diagnoses to specific licenses (often psychologists or clinical social workers). Always check state guidelines if diagnosis is important to you.
Can counselors provide the same treatments as therapists, like CBT or EMDR?
It depends on their training. Many counselors are trained in CBT, DBT, and other structured approaches. Therapists, especially those with specialized training, may offer modalities that require advanced certification, such as EMDR or trauma-focused interventions.
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