Before you search for a mental health professional, we should also debunk a repeated myth. Some people may perceive psychologists as being "better" or "more qualified" when compared to counselors because of their education. However, this just is not true. No matter the degree level or the amount of clinical experience one has received, counselors and psychologists alike are expected to follow all ethical guidelines and provide the best level of care to their clients. Overall, the most important things to consider are,

1. What issues you would like to address in therapy?
2. What type of therapeutic relationship interests you?
3. Which therapist best meets your needs?

Simplify Your Mental Health Journey with BetterHelp

When it comes to your mental or emotional issues, only you can decide what type of treatment suits you best. If you don't know where to start, connecting with an online counselor at a website like BetterHelp is a great way to begin. You don't need to worry about sitting in traffic or taking time out of your day to drive to an appointment. You may access BetterHelp from the comfort of your own home. Read below for some reviews of BetterHelp counselors, from people experiencing different issues.

Counselor Reviews

"Karen is amazing. I've never done therapy before and was very skeptical of it. I also wasn't sure if I wanted to talk about my stresses, feelings and opening up about work and relationships. Karen has made it very easy to do that and very appreciative of the work she does. I've been working with Karen for 3 weeks and have seen big improvements and changes in my life. Very thankful for Karen and this platform. It is really amazing to talk to someone that listens and offers great advice, encouragement and doesn't judge. Thanks Karen!"

"In the short span of 9 months, Shonnie has become like one of my best friends. At first, I was skeptical of doing therapy since I'm very "psychologically healthy". A few challenges in my personal life lead me to try therapy for a month. Now I consider it an important part of my growth as a businessman and leader within my community. Thank you Shonnie for being so helpful during the recent difficulties; I am very lucky to have found you!"

Conclusion

It can be easy to mix up terms like "counselor" and "psychologist," but it's important to be well-informed on these matters, so you can find the professional who is right for you. If you have been experiencing problems with your mental health, help is available to you. Take the first step on your healing journey today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is a psychologist and a counselor the same thing?

While a psychologist and a counselor are both mental health practitioners, there are a few differences between the two. Both professional counselors and psychologists hold a master's degree in psychology (or a related field).

Counselors often have a master's in counseling or a degree in psychology. This qualifies them to provide necessary counseling and addiction based services for mental health. However, counselors deal with plain therapy roles. That means that counseling usually has a shorter duration, lasting anywhere from just six sessions, and rarely more than six months of treatment.

What distinguishes a psychologist from a counselor is that psychologists must complete additional state-mandated clinical training before becoming licensed as a licensed professional counselor or licensed psychologist. Psychologists provide clinical mental health counseling based on research studies.

Furthermore, psychologists are more likely to work with individuals with serious mental illness. They train to perform psychotherapy with clients. They often focus on research and finding new methods to solve psychological issues. They also administer neurological and IQ tests. 
Nevertheless, many psychologists who work focus on counseling individuals. Many psychologists pursue careers as counselors.

Which is better counselor or psychologist?

No one is better than the other. That's because they have different procedures and scope of practice. Counselors and psychologists deal with different issues. Counseling's scope of practice follows almost the same set of protocols as those of licensed psychologists. A counselor will focus on specific problems and help a person address a particular problem, such as addiction or stress management. 

When counselors start, they get trained to provide necessary counseling services such as substance abuse counseling and family counseling. Psychologists supervise many counselors used in school settings, relationship issues, and career problems. 

Licensed psychologists like clinical psychologists take a clinical approach to therapy honed during their hundreds (or thousands) of clinical training hours. Engaging a psychologist is more long-term than counseling, which focuses on a broader range of issues.

The underlying principle is that a person's pattern of thinking and behavior affects how that person interacts with the world. Psychologists understand patterns in people's behavior that may interfere with reaching personal goals and have more satisfying relationships. 

Their scope of practice suits a job as a life coach who teaches how individuals can regulate their thinking and control emotional responses to stressful situations. They also deal with mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or anxiety disorder.

While a counselor might be more focused on helping you with symptoms (anxiety, stress, difficulties sleeping, etc.), a psychologist tends to work with less severe clients. A clinical psychologist will generally work with individuals distressed with more complicated mental health conditions, such as personality disorders and primary depressive conditions.

Can a counselor become a psychologist?

Yes. After a counselor reaches the master's level in counseling, they can become a licensed psychologist. This happens upon completion of the state-mandated clinical training programs. Hands-on clinical training programs give counselors clinical training in behavioral psychology, advice, and family therapy as a practicing mental health counselor.

First, they learn about the various fields in psychology, pick a specialty and degree. They choose their preferred area out of, e.g., research psychology, clinical psychology, industrial-organizational psychology counseling psychology? 

As a counselor, you intend to become a psychologist, you should do a psychology internship. Many states typically require a two-year observed internship. You will learn practical methods, and know if a specialty is right for you. Internships in clinical and counseling psychology need to be sanctioned by the American Psychological Association (APA) because jobs in mental health services sometimes require an APA-approved course.

Then you'd have to get your license to practice psychology. Every state requires that certain prerequisites are met before they can give you a permit. Meanwhile, you have to pass an exam and present a case study to a panel of psychologists in some instances.

What is the difference between counseling and counseling psychology?

While counselors and counseling psychologists execute several similar duties, there are some relevant distinctions between the two. Although they focus on helping people live better lives, they differ in their educational experience, range of practice, and work environment.

Counselors generally have at least a master's degree in either Psychology or counseling. They often treat emotive and relational problems and often work in a career or school setting. However, they don't offer psychological testing and talk therapy.

Counseling psychologists, in contrast, hold a Ph.D., Ed.D, Psy.D., or an advanced degree in counseling psychology. They tend to treat severe varieties of mental illness and found in medical and health hospitals. Counseling psychologists, however, can provide diagnosis and psychological testing.

So while counseling psychologists often handle psychological reviews and oversee diagnostic tests, counselors are sometimes restricted in terms of the tests they can administer. Still, state laws may determine the type of assessments a counselor can deal with and may need to be overseen by a psychologist. 

In conclusion, a significant difference between counseling and counseling psychology is the application of psychometric assessments in treatment. General counselors can provide the necessary mental health counseling and understand the results of psychometric assessments. 

When should I see a psychologist?

People who have chronic or acute mental health issues should see a psychologist for mental health counseling. Chronic mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder require psychotherapy as a method of treatment. If you suffer from chronic or acute mental diseases, a medical doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist for mental health counseling. 

However, if you notice any of the following issues, see your doctor who would refer you to a psychologist.

Supposing an issue produces substantial misery in your life, for instance, if your attention, zeal, and drive have reduced, or you lose passion for socializing, or you're just overwhelmed; if you experience anxiety, depression, or mania, you need to see someone. Where nothing you've done seems to help, or you've tried to talk to a friend, work out more, seek assistance online, or study various, yet you still feel the same way, visit a psychologist.

If you notice that your family and friends are tired of listening and don't answer your texts or don't take your call with no explanation), or you begin to overuse or abuse, e.g., alcohol, drugs or cigarettes, you would need the services of a professional. Whether it's gambling or watching pornography nonstop, it's time to reach out and talk to any of the life coaches at BetterHelp. These professionals are there to listen, and offer tools and techniques to improve your life.

Should I see a psychologist or psychiatrist?

When it comes to behavioral psychology, people often wonder if they should see a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Psychologists provide mental health counseling programs and psychotherapy treatment for people suffering from mild-to-moderate mental health disorders. Psychiatrists provide therapy and psychology-based medication management services for people with more severe mental health disorders like clinical depression and schizophrenia.

If you're looking for talk therapy and counseling programs like marriage and family therapy, substance abuse counseling, and psychological counseling services -- choose a psychologist. If you're suffering from moderate to severe mental disorders, require intensive monitoring and treatment -- a psychiatrist is your best option.

A psychotherapist will offer a safe atmosphere for you to open up and share your thoughts. They will work towards helping you cope with severe emotional behaviors. However, the scope of practice is a lot different from a psychologist.

For instance, a psychotherapist focuses on emotions and experiences you had growing up, and your present symptoms and issues, shedding light on how these experiences have shaped who you are today. A psychotherapist also deals with mental health conditions that have developed over a more extended period. This means that a psychotherapist will work with more complex mental health conditions, such as PTSD, OCD, and long-term anxiety disorders.

The main differences that exist between them are the types of issues they examine. A psychologist usually works with healthier patrons (those experiencing more surface-level emotional and social problems). In contrast, a clinical psychologist typically works with people suffering from more complex mental health conditions, such as personality disorders and major depressive disorders.