What is the Difference Between a Counsellor, Therapist, or Psychologist?

In the field of mental health, the terms counsellor, therapist, and psychologist are often used interchangeably, which can be confusing when you are trying to find the right professional to suit your needs. While all of these professionals aim to help people cope with emotional, mental, and psychological challenges, the scope of their training, approach and expertise differ. Understanding these differences can help you find the right support for your goals and needs.

Counsellor

What is a Counsellor? Generally, a counsellor focuses on helping individuals address specific, short-term, challenges such as stress, grief, relationship issues, or career decisions. Counsellors provide a supportive environment for people to express their feelings, explore coping strategies, and gain clarity on particular life issues or circumstances. Counsellors tend to be more common in the addictions field with many relying on their own experience overcoming similar issues to inform their professional approach. 

Training and Qualifications: Counsellors may hold a master’s degree in counselling while others may hold a bachelor degree, certificates or diplomas depending on their area of specialty. Their training often emphasizes practical interventions or skills for specific issues, active listening, and empathetic understanding. They are skilled in guiding individuals through difficult periods but they tend to not work with more significant psychological conditions or mental health issues. 

Approach: Counsellors are often more solution-focused or skills-based and they are likely to focus more on immediate issues rather than deeper seeded problems. 

When to See a Counsellor: If you are dealing with specific life challenges such as workplace stress, relationship problems, or grieving a loss, a counsellor may be able to provide you with the tools and support you need.

Therapist

What is a Therapist? The term therapist is broader and can refer to both counsellors,  psychotherapists, social workers and psychologists. Therapists work with clients to address emotional and psychological challenges, but the scope of therapy may be more long-term and in-depth when compared to counselling.

Training and Qualifications: Therapists typically hold advanced degrees in psychology, counselling, social work, or related fields. They may also have specialized training in specific therapeutic modalities, such as psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT),  dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) or trauma therapy. Some therapists may be registered social workers, marriage and family therapists or psychologists. 

Approach: Therapy often delves deeper into a person’s emotional and psychological experiences, exploring past events, trauma, and patterns that influence present behavior. It may be more open-ended, with the therapist helping the individual to uncover underlying emotional or relational difficulties while providing tools, strategies or interventions which may vary depending on the theoretical orientation and training of the therapist. 

When to See a Therapist: If you are struggling with more entrenched emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or deep-seated relationship problems, a therapist can help you understand and resolve these challenges over time. Therapy is typically more in-depth and may last several months or even years, depending on the person’s needs and the therapeutic approach of the professional. 

Therapists and counsellors are not required to be registered in Alberta, though changes are underway to establish a regulatory body which may be similar to the Colleges that oversee social workers and psychologists. 

In meantime, we recommend seeking services from a regulated professional whenever possible to ensure that you or your loved ones receive services from professionals who are required to meet standards, maintain competency via continuing education and are obligated to provide ethical care.

Psychologist

What is a Psychologist? A psychologist is a mental health professional with specialized training in understanding the science of human behavior. Psychologists are experts in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health issues and often have a deep understanding of both clinical and research-based approaches. Psychologists can provide counselling and therapy services, though they tend to also be trained in more specialized or complex areas of practice. 

Training and Qualifications: Registered psychologists in Alberta hold doctoral or master degrees in psychology. They undergo rigorous academic studies and training, including both clinical practice and research. Psychologists are required to complete licensing exams, undergo supervised practice and maintain active registration in order to practice in the province of Alberta. Psychologists can specialize in areas like clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, or neuropsychology. 

Approach: Psychologists are trained to approach mental health with a scientific mindset in which they synthesize evidence from research studies to inform and guide their practice. While they often use therapeutic techniques which may be similar to those of counsellors and therapists, they also conduct research, provide diagnostic assessments, and use evidence-based interventions. Their training often allows them to treat more complex forms of mental illness, provide specialized assessment services as well as using their in-depth understanding of human behaviour to provide consultation services to organizations.

When to See a Psychologist: If you’re experiencing persistent feelings of anxiety or depression, struggling with minor or major life changes, or dealing with trauma, a psychologist can help provide extremely thorough and comprehensive support given their extensive education and training. Most psychologists provide counselling and therapy services as well. If you need an assessment for a mental health condition, or are dealing with complex psychological issues, a psychologist is likely to be the best fit given their expertise and training.

Which Professional is Right for You?

• Counsellor: May be best for short-term support with specific life challenges like relationship issues, career stress, or grief.

• Therapist: May be ideal for longer-term exploration of emotional and psychological issues, including trauma, anxiety, and depression.

• Psychologist: Provides counselling and therapy services for any issue you are currently facing. Often psychologists will be specialized in a certain area of focus (i.e. addictions, family, couples, children).  Psychologists are the best  option if you are seeking a formal diagnosis, psychological assessment, or are seeking treatment for a complex mental health issue. 

Insurance coverage for counselling, therapy, and psychological services typically varies based on the insurance plan. Many insurance providers will cover sessions with licensed psychologists and social workers. It's essential to check with your insurance provider to confirm what services are covered including how many sessions you qualify for so that this can be considered in treatment planning. 

Finding the right mental health professional depends on your needs and the type of support you are seeking. Each professional offers a unique approach, and understanding these differences can help when selecting the right professional to assist you with your goals. 

Please contact us today to see how we can help match you with the right professional to assist you with your goals.