What Is The Difference Between A Counsellor And A Therapist? UK Mental Health Care
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Seeking mental health care can be intimidating for some, in part because the terminology used in this field may not always be easily understandable or clear. Understanding the differences between some of these terms, like counsellor and therapist, may help simplify your search for care. Here, we will explore both of these terms and their meaning and share advice on how you can connect with the right type of professional for your needs in the UK.
What is the difference between a counsellor and a therapist? UK and globally
In addition to there being many different terms to know in the mental health field, some are used interchangeably and others depend on your region. For those seeking care in the UK, understanding which terms are used most often and what their meetings are can help you find support.
Addressing the question: What is the difference between a counsellor and a therapist (UK)?
Therapy and counselling can both be used as umbrella terms for a variety of psychotherapeutic practices. From cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and grief counselling, any research-based practices that support mental health by exploring or addressing specific thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can typically be considered therapy or counselling.
That said, the two can sometimes be differentiated based on their goal and duration. Counselling can be a shorter-term approach with the aim of finding practical solutions to a specific challenge. Therapy, also called talking therapies or psychotherapy, is often a longer-term approach that dives beneath the surface to understand where a person’s emotional challenges may stem from and to address them more holistically. Both approaches can be useful depending on a person’s needs, preferences, and circumstances.
Research on the effectiveness of mental health care from counsellors and psychotherapists
Research indicates that both counselling and psychotherapy interventions can often be effective. For example, in one study, student participants in a short-term counselling program showed decreased symptoms of depression and improved emotional regulation after eight counselling sessions. These findings reflect how even short-term interventions may have a significant impact.
For those living with more severe or deeply rooted challenges, long-term psychotherapy may be a more effective option—and research generally supports its effectiveness as well. One study, for instance, suggests that when medication alone is not enough for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, adding psychotherapy may be effective for reducing symptoms over time.
Types of counsellors and therapists
Within counselling and therapy, there are many different specializations and approaches a provider may use. Understanding some of these options may help you decide which type of mental health professional to connect with.
Types of counsellors
If you’re looking to address a specific challenge or get support through a particular period, a counsellor may be a helpful resource. Having received a degree and specific training in counselling or psychotherapy, they are equipped to give you research-based guidance.
A counsellor may specialize in a variety of areas. Understanding what you need and looking for providers with experience and training in that specialty may be a helpful next step. Some examples of common counsellor specialties for mental health professionals in this field include:
- Grief counselling
- Child counselling
- Couples counselling
- Rehabilitation counselling
Types of psychotherapists
Psychotherapy is a form of talking therapy that helps you cope with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges—especially those that may be more deeply rooted in past experiences or a mental illness. A therapist, also called a psychotherapist, may help you explore the underlying reasons for your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in order to understand yourself at a deeper level.
Psychotherapists in the UK need to complete a postgraduate or master’s degree in a relevant psychological field. Psychotherapists may specialize in areas such as:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
- Treatment for depression, anxiety, or trauma
- Attachment issues
What to expect in sessions with counsellors and psychotherapists
Sessions with a counsellor and sessions with a psychotherapist will often feel similar in their structure. Both typically involve talking about what's bothering you and being guided through different ways of looking at or approaching the challenge. The differences usually lie in the specific methods used and the longer-term goals of the treatment.
Common therapy practices of a psychotherapist
Psychotherapy practitioners usually need to have a certain level of observation and awareness to pay attention to thoughts, feelings, and cognitive processes that may appear when a client speaks. A therapist may also teach clients some practices to help raise their awareness, such as deep breathing, body awareness, or journaling exercises.
With each type of psychotherapy, you may gain different insights and learn different coping strategies. For example, from interpersonal therapy, you may learn ways to express your relationship needs in a healthy way. In cognitive behavioral therapy, you may learn mindfulness exercises to let thoughts pass without judgement.
Common counsellor practices
There may be some overlap between the strategies that a therapist uses and the strategies that a counsellor uses. That said, a few approaches that may be particularly helpful for the short-term format of counselling include:
- Structured sequential strategies: Known as the fives As (ask, advise, assess, assist, arrange), this set of counseling techniques can be useful for those who are receptive and responding well to counselling.
- Motivational interviewing: uses empathy to help the client build internal motivation, which may be effective for those ambivalent about change
- BATHE: This strategy (background, affect, troubles, handling, and empathy) may be particularly useful for those experiencing symptoms of complex mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Exploring treatment with a clinical psychologist
For advanced diagnostic practices and treatment, you may want to consider speaking to a clinical psychologist. A clinical psychologist, sometimes called a counselling psychologist, is required to receive a doctoral degree (PhD) in psychology and therefore undergo intensive training before offering support and guidance to clients for a mental health condition or other challenges. Note that in the UK in general, psychologists aren’t considered medical doctors and can’t usually prescribe medication, though the topic is under review.
Counselling and psychotherapy with a clinical psychologist
Like therapists or counsellors, clinical psychologists often specialize in some form(s) of psychotherapy. After creating a supportive environment for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings, therapists will usually work in depth with them over a significant period of time to explore past experiences and how they may affect thoughts and behavior today.
Choosing between counselling and psychotherapy
Both counsellors and psychotherapists are equipped to help you in many ways, and there can be a lot of overlap in their roles as healthcare providers. So while either can be helpful in most situations, you might consider your key goals for treatment before choosing between these two types of professionals.
If you are looking for short-term support through a specific challenging period, such as adjusting to parenthood, coping with grief, or addressing substance misuse, counselling might be the best choice. If you're looking for more in-depth support to better understand where certain feelings, symptoms, or behaviors may stem from—like how your upbringing may affect your choices as a parent, parsing complicated emotions about a lost loved one, or uncovering underlying reasons for coping through substance use—therapy might be a useful approach. If you’re not sure, meeting with a therapist or counsellor for a consultation may help you decide.
Finding the right mental health care provider for your needs in the UK
Finding a therapist or counsellor who you feel comfortable with and who has the training and expertise you need is usually important for promoting positive treatment outcomes. If you live in the UK, there are many different ways to seek the support of a therapist or counsellor. Those who qualify for services through the NHS may self-refer or get their GP's referral to speak with a therapist for free treatment. Other options include paying out of pocket or using insurance to see a provider with an independent practice or exploring an online therapy platform.
In addition to the convenience of being able to meet with a counsellor or therapist remotely from home, online therapy platforms like BetterHelp can make it easy to find the right provider for you. To get started, you'll fill out a brief questionnaire about your needs and preferences in a therapist or counsellor. Then, many people can be matched with a professional provider in as little as 48 hours. If you decide they're not the right fit for you, BetterHelp allows you to switch providers for any reason, at any time, for no additional cost.
Is online therapy effective?
A growing body of research generally supports the effectiveness of online therapy and counselling for addressing a variety of mental health concerns and emotional challenges. Many suggest that online treatment can often be as effective as in-person treatment for addressing many different mental health challenges.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions
Are counsellors and therapists the same?
In general, counselling techniques are solution-focused and center on addressing one particular issue. This tends to be a short-term process. Unlike counselling, therapy tends to be a long-term process delving into a person’s past experiences, beliefs, and other factors affecting their mental health. While these descriptions may not necessarily represent everyone’s experience with counseling and therapy, they can be seen as helpful generalizations.
Is therapy better than counselling?
Neither therapy nor counseling is necessarily better than the other. Instead, they may each have more suitable applications. For example, counseling may be better for managing work stress or difficulty with focus, while therapy may be better for improving low self-esteem and overcoming childhood trauma.
Do I need to see a counsellor or therapist?
Anyone can benefit from seeing a counselor or therapist. However, if you’re experiencing mental health symptoms that are impacting your quality of life or making it challenging to get through everyday responsibilities, it may be wise to seek professional help from a registered counsellor or professional therapist.
Is a therapist higher than a counselor?
While both of these types of mental health professionals can help a variety of people with a range of concerns, therapists often undergo additional training that many counsellors do not. Social workers and other professionals often have slightly different skill sets as well.
Can counsellors diagnose anxiety?
Whether a counselor can diagnose anxiety varies depending on location, academic training, and other factors. However, regardless of whether they can diagnose anxiety, counselors and other professionals can provide research-based treatments through talk therapy to alleviate anxiety symptoms.
Why do we go to therapy or counseling?
Most people who go to therapy or counseling do so to receive professional support and guidance with challenging situations or mental health symptoms. For example, someone might go to therapy if they’re experiencing a persistent low mood.
How do I choose a therapist or counselor?
You can ask your primary care provider for a referral, talk to loved ones to see if they have recommendations, or match with a therapist on an online therapy platform. The therapeutic relationship between yourself and your therapist is often crucial for success.
What is the most effective type of therapy?
One of the most research-backed types of therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy. This modality focuses on the relationships between a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Can a counselor call themselves a therapist?
In general, it’s necessary to have certain diploma-level training and other certifications to call oneself a therapist. In some cases, counselors may qualify as therapists. If you’re not sure whether a mental health professional is qualified, you might check to see if they’re registered with a professional body like the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
What is the difference between counselling and therapy?
Counseling is usually short-term and solution-focused. Meanwhile, the therapy process normally takes longer and delves deeper into a person’s beliefs and experiences.
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