Counselling vs. Therapy
Mental health care is an essential part of our overall well-being and deserves our undivided attention. Among the many ways to address mental and emotional challenges, two widely recognized approaches are counselling and therapy. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they serve distinct purposes.
Counselling typically addresses specific, short-term concerns such as situational stress, conflict, or decision-making. It is often solution-focused and geared toward helping individuals navigate current life challenges.
Therapy, on the other hand, tends to explore deeper emotional issues, patterns of behavior, and long-standing psychological concerns. It often involves a longer-term commitment and works to bring about profound personal insight and change.
Both approaches are described below as explained by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Aspect
Counselling
Therapy / Psychotherapy
Definition
Professional assistance in coping with personal problems, including emotional, behavioral, vocational, marital, educational, rehabilitation, and life-stage problems.
(APA Dictionary of Psychology)
“Psychotherapy refers to any psychological service provided by a trained professional that primarily uses forms of communication and interaction to assess, diagnose, and treat dysfunctional emotional reactions, ways of thinking, and behavior patterns.”
(APA Dictionary of Psychology)
Focus
Short-term, present-focused; guidance and support for everyday stressors, transitions, or emotional challenges
Often long-term; addresses mental health disorders, deep-seated emotional issues, and behavioral conditions
Practitioner Scope
Can be provided by trained professionals without licensure in some countries; focuses on life challenges and support
Provided by licensed mental health professionals with formal credentials in psychology, psychiatry, or social work
Applicable Modalities
Listening, guidance, psychoeducation, emotional support
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-informed therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, etc.
Best For
Relationship issues, stress, grief, academic or work concerns
Anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, trauma, clinical diagnoses
Counselling
Definition
Professional assistance in coping with personal problems, including emotional, behavioral, vocational, marital, educational, rehabilitation, and life-stage problems.
(APA Dictionary of Psychology)
Focus
Short-term, present-focused; guidance and support for everyday stressors, transitions, or emotional challenges
Practitioner Scope
Can be provided by trained professionals without licensure in some countries; focuses on life challenges and support
Applicable Modalities
Listening, guidance, psychoeducation, emotional support
Best For
Relationship issues, stress, grief, academic or work concerns
Therapy / Psychotherapy
Definition
“Psychotherapy refers to any psychological service provided by a trained professional that primarily uses forms of communication and interaction to assess, diagnose, and treat dysfunctional emotional reactions, ways of thinking, and behavior patterns.”
(APA Dictionary of Psychology)
Focus
Often long-term; addresses mental health disorders, deep-seated emotional issues, and behavioral conditions
Practitioner Scope
Provided by licensed mental health professionals with formal credentials in psychology, psychiatry, or social work
Applicable Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-informed therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, etc.
Best For
Anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, trauma, clinical diagnoses
