The Difference Between Counselors and Psychologists

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsKey SimilaritiesKey DifferencesEducation & TrainingScope of PracticeWhich Is More Effective?What This Means for You

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Key Similarities

Key Differences

Education & Training

Scope of Practice

Which Is More Effective?

What This Means for You

Close

Finding the right mental health professional isn’t always easy, especially when you aren’t sure exactly what all theirtitles and professional acronymsmean. For example, while counseling and psychology share many similarities, counselors and psychologists have significant functional differences.

Counselors and psychologists perform similar duties, but there are critical differences. Both help people live better lives, but counselors and psychologists have different educational backgrounds, areas of focus and specialization, and work settings.

If you are considering a career in counseling or psychology, knowing the differences between the two is critical for planning your education and training. It’s also important to know the differences when seeking mental health treatment. If you are confused about choosing the right professional, consider talking to your doctor or calling a referral service.

However, don’t get too hung up on understanding the ins and outs of all these differences. What’s most important to your treatment is often thetherapeutic relationshipbetween you and your mental health provider, whether they are a counselor or psychologist.

At a GlanceCounseling and psychology are related fields that provide mental health treatment. Counselors typically have a master’s degree and help people address relationship or emotional issues. Psychologists have a doctoral-level degree and treat serious mental health conditions.

At a Glance

Counseling and psychology are related fields that provide mental health treatment. Counselors typically have a master’s degree and help people address relationship or emotional issues. Psychologists have a doctoral-level degree and treat serious mental health conditions.

Similarities Between Counseling and Psychology

There are similarities between counselors and psychologists, including that both professions:

Differences Between Counselors and Psychologists

Some of the major differences between counselors and psychologists are in their level of education, the scope of their practice, and the settings in which they work.

CounselorsUsually have a master’s degreeMainly address clients' emotional and relationship issues through talk therapy and skills developmentOften work in school or career settingsPsychologistsHave a doctorate degreePrimarily treat clients with serious mental health conditions as well as pursue research and teachingOften work in medical and mental health clinics

CounselorsUsually have a master’s degreeMainly address clients' emotional and relationship issues through talk therapy and skills developmentOften work in school or career settings

Usually have a master’s degree

Mainly address clients' emotional and relationship issues through talk therapy and skills development

Often work in school or career settings

PsychologistsHave a doctorate degreePrimarily treat clients with serious mental health conditions as well as pursue research and teachingOften work in medical and mental health clinics

Have a doctorate degree

Primarily treat clients with serious mental health conditions as well as pursue research and teaching

Often work in medical and mental health clinics

Counseling is usually a short-term therapy that addresses the problems or situations you are currently dealing with. It stresses talk therapy and usually has specific goals.

The Difference Between Counseling and Psychotherapy

Educational and Training Differences

There are important differences in terms of education and training between counselors vs. psychologists.

Counselor Educational Requirements

Counselors typically hold a minimum of a master’s degree in either counseling or psychology. To become a licensed professional counselor (LPC), an individual must pass a national professional exam and complete a specified number of supervised hours in the field.

Counseling programs require less time to complete than a doctorate, allowing students to enter the workforce faster.

Some master’s programs allow for part-time study, making it possible for students to remain employed in their current job while they earn their degree. Many of these programs are also availablepartially or completely online.

Counselor Career Profile

Psychologist Educational Requirements

Psychologists, on the other hand, hold aPhDorPsyDin psychology. Some professionals are known as counseling psychologists and may hold an EdD degree in counseling psychology.

The education for clinical and counseling psychologists generally focuses more on research than master’s level counseling programs do.

These doctorate programs typically takeat least five years to complete. The first four years are spent on required courses, research, clinical experiences, and a dissertation; a supervised internship in the field is completed during the fifth year.

As with master’s programs, some PhD, PsyD, and EdD degree programs can be donepartially or completely online.

Psychologist Career Profile

Accreditation and Licensing

Counseling psychology and counselingdegree programsare sometimes housed within a university’s College of Education. Both programs receive accreditation from different accrediting bodies in the United States.

In the U.S., counseling programs are accredited through the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and counseling psychology programs are accredited through the American Psychological Association (APA).

The requirements typically include meeting a minimum education level, completing required supervised experience hours, and passing state certification exams.

Accreditation and Licensing Requirements for Psychologists

Counseling vs. Psychology: Scope of Practice

Another key difference between counselors and counseling psychologists is in the type of duties they typically perform.

Clinical and counseling psychologists often conduct psychological assessments and administer diagnostic tests to clients, while counselors focus less on using these tools.Additionally, state laws can dictate the types of assessments a counselor can offer and may require that a psychologist supervise the administration of these tests.

Clinical and counseling psychologists often conduct psychological assessments and administer diagnostic tests to clients, while counselors focus less on using these tools.

Additionally, state laws can dictate the types of assessments a counselor can offer and may require that a psychologist supervise the administration of these tests.

Clinical and counseling psychologists typically work with clients with seriousmental health conditions.They may offer therapy that is specific to certain types of disorders, such as using dialectical behavior therapy to treat borderline personality disorder. They also typically administer diagnostic tests and assessments.

Clients with emotional, relationship, social, and academic problems, on the other hand, are often referred to a counselor because these professionals typically offer more cost-effective treatments.

Both professionals provide mental health services to help people overcome challenges and optimize their well-being.

Mental Health Professionals Who Can Provide Psychotherapy

Specializing

Counselors and psychologists can both choose to specialize in a particular area, which can be related to the setting they practice in or the type of clients they work with. Specializing generally requires additional education, training, and licensure, and may require research, internships, or fieldwork.

Counselors may choose to focus on a specialty area such as school counseling,career counseling, marriage and family counseling, mental health counseling, and addiction counseling.

Counseling psychologists may choose to specialize in areas such as substance abuse, child development,health psychology, community psychology, crisis intervention, or developmental disabilities.

One study found that in the short term, psychotherapy (in this case, interpersonal therapy), improved symptoms and functioning more than counseling.However, a follow-up study with the same group of participants found that counseling had better efficacy in the long term.

One study concluded that CBT was the most effective treatment for depression and that counseling was recommended only after other interventions have been ineffective.

While counselors and counseling psychologists perform many similar job duties in the field of mental health, it is essential to be aware of the differences between the two professions. If you are considering counseling or psychology as a profession, you must determine which one is right for you and adjust your educational plan to meet the requirements in the state where you intend to practice.

If you are looking for mental health services, talk to your healthcare provider about the type of mental health provider who would best meet your needs. For example, if you need help coping with stress at school or work, a counselor might be able to help. If you have a mental health condition that requires treatment, you might be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist who can manage your care.

How to Find the Right Therapist

9 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Counseling Association (ACA).ACA Code of Ethics.Northwestern University - The Family Institute.Counseling VS Psychology.Scope of Practice Policy.Behavioral Health Providers Overview.American Psychological Association.Clinical psychology.American Psychological Association (APA).APA-Approved Standards and Guidelines.National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).Types of mental health professionals.Young JF, Benas JS, Schueler CM, Gallop R, Gillham JE, Mufson L.A randomized depression prevention trial comparing interpersonal psychotherapy–adolescent skills training to group counseling in schools.Prev Sci. 2016;17(3):314-324. doi:10.1007/s11121-015-0620-5Young JF, Jones JD, Sbrilli MD, et al.Long-term effects from a school-based trial comparing interpersonal psychotherapy-adolescent skills training to group counseling.J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2019;48(sup1):S362-S370. doi:10.1080/15374416.2018.1479965Pybis J, Saxon D, Hill A, Barkham M.The comparative effectiveness and efficiency of cognitive behaviour therapy and generic counselling in the treatment of depression: evidence from the 2nd UK National Audit of psychological therapies.BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):215. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1370-7

9 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Counseling Association (ACA).ACA Code of Ethics.Northwestern University - The Family Institute.Counseling VS Psychology.Scope of Practice Policy.Behavioral Health Providers Overview.American Psychological Association.Clinical psychology.American Psychological Association (APA).APA-Approved Standards and Guidelines.National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).Types of mental health professionals.Young JF, Benas JS, Schueler CM, Gallop R, Gillham JE, Mufson L.A randomized depression prevention trial comparing interpersonal psychotherapy–adolescent skills training to group counseling in schools.Prev Sci. 2016;17(3):314-324. doi:10.1007/s11121-015-0620-5Young JF, Jones JD, Sbrilli MD, et al.Long-term effects from a school-based trial comparing interpersonal psychotherapy-adolescent skills training to group counseling.J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2019;48(sup1):S362-S370. doi:10.1080/15374416.2018.1479965Pybis J, Saxon D, Hill A, Barkham M.The comparative effectiveness and efficiency of cognitive behaviour therapy and generic counselling in the treatment of depression: evidence from the 2nd UK National Audit of psychological therapies.BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):215. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1370-7

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Counseling Association (ACA).ACA Code of Ethics.Northwestern University - The Family Institute.Counseling VS Psychology.Scope of Practice Policy.Behavioral Health Providers Overview.American Psychological Association.Clinical psychology.American Psychological Association (APA).APA-Approved Standards and Guidelines.National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).Types of mental health professionals.Young JF, Benas JS, Schueler CM, Gallop R, Gillham JE, Mufson L.A randomized depression prevention trial comparing interpersonal psychotherapy–adolescent skills training to group counseling in schools.Prev Sci. 2016;17(3):314-324. doi:10.1007/s11121-015-0620-5Young JF, Jones JD, Sbrilli MD, et al.Long-term effects from a school-based trial comparing interpersonal psychotherapy-adolescent skills training to group counseling.J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2019;48(sup1):S362-S370. doi:10.1080/15374416.2018.1479965Pybis J, Saxon D, Hill A, Barkham M.The comparative effectiveness and efficiency of cognitive behaviour therapy and generic counselling in the treatment of depression: evidence from the 2nd UK National Audit of psychological therapies.BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):215. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1370-7

American Counseling Association (ACA).ACA Code of Ethics.

Northwestern University - The Family Institute.Counseling VS Psychology.

Scope of Practice Policy.Behavioral Health Providers Overview.

American Psychological Association.Clinical psychology.

American Psychological Association (APA).APA-Approved Standards and Guidelines.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).Types of mental health professionals.

Young JF, Benas JS, Schueler CM, Gallop R, Gillham JE, Mufson L.A randomized depression prevention trial comparing interpersonal psychotherapy–adolescent skills training to group counseling in schools.Prev Sci. 2016;17(3):314-324. doi:10.1007/s11121-015-0620-5

Young JF, Jones JD, Sbrilli MD, et al.Long-term effects from a school-based trial comparing interpersonal psychotherapy-adolescent skills training to group counseling.J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2019;48(sup1):S362-S370. doi:10.1080/15374416.2018.1479965

Pybis J, Saxon D, Hill A, Barkham M.The comparative effectiveness and efficiency of cognitive behaviour therapy and generic counselling in the treatment of depression: evidence from the 2nd UK National Audit of psychological therapies.BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):215. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1370-7

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?