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What's the difference between a counselor and a psychologist?

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Ken’s Answer

Each is involved in some similar, but different applications of methods of helping people. The important thing for you to do early on is to determine which would be most suitable for you. Getting to know yourself and getting to know these careers areas are very important in knowing which would be better for you to pursue.


Getting to know yourself and how your personality traits relate to people involved in various career opportunities is very important in your decision making process. During my many years in Human Resources and College Recruiting, I ran across too many students who had skipped this very important step and ended up in a job situation which for which they were not well suited. Selecting a career area is like buying a pair of shoes. First you have to be properly fitted for the correct size, and then you need to try on and walk in the various shoe options to determine which is fits the best and is most comfortable for you to wear. Following are some important steps which I developed during my career which have been helpful to many .

Ken recommends the following next steps:

The first step is to take an interest and aptitude test and have it interpreted by your school counselor to see if you share the personality traits necessary to enter the field. You might want to do this again upon entry into college, as the interpretation might differ slightly due to the course offering of the school. However, do not wait until entering college, as the information from the test will help to determine the courses that you take in high school. Too many students, due to poor planning, end up paying for courses in college which they could have taken for free in high school.
Next, when you have the results of the testing, talk to the person at your high school and college who tracks and works with graduates to arrange to talk to, visit, and possibly shadow people doing what you think that you might want to do, so that you can get know what they are doing and how they got there. Here are some tips: ## http://www.wikihow.com/Network ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/nonawkward-ways-to-start-and-end-networking-conversations ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-questions-to-ask-your-network-besides-can-you-get-me-a-job?ref=carousel-slide-1 ##
Locate and attend meetings of professional associations to which people who are doing what you think that you want to do belong, so that you can get their advice. These associations may offer or know of intern, coop, shadowing, and scholarship opportunities. These associations are the means whereby the professionals keep abreast of their career area following college and advance in their career. Here are some tips: ## https://www.careeronestop.org/BusinessCenter/Toolkit/find-professional-associations.aspx?&frd=true ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/9-tips-for-navigating-your-first-networking-event ##
It is very important to express your appreciation to those who help you along the way to be able to continue to receive helpful information and to create important networking contacts along the way. Here are some good tips: ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-informational-interview-thank-you-note-smart-people-know-to-send?ref=recently-published-2 ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-tips-for-writing-a-thank-you-note-thatll-make-you-look-like-the-best-candidate-alive?bsft_eid=7e230cba-a92f-4ec7-8ca3-2f50c8fc9c3c&bsft_pid=d08b95c2-bc8f-4eae-8618-d0826841a284&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_20171020&utm_source=blueshift&utm_content=daily_20171020&bsft_clkid=edfe52ae-9e40-4d90-8e6a-e0bb76116570&bsft_uid=54658fa1-0090-41fd-b88c-20a86c513a6c&bsft_mid=214115cb-cca2-4aec-aa86-92a31d371185&bsft_pp=2 ##
Here is a link that will help you to learn more fully about the various opportunities in related helping professions: ## http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marjorie-hansen-shaevitz/post_9154_b_6865002.html
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Kristina’s Answer

Psychologists typically have some type of doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD) and would be likely to have more of a research background. Counselors have most likely pursued a counseling program for their degree (perhaps social work) and would typically have a Master's designation. It is possible that counselor or social workers have been trained to consider person-in-environment and incorporate more of the biopsychosocial model in their work, whereas psychologists may focus more on the person and individual functioning. It is wise to remember that each discipline has a unique approach, and within each approach, the type of clinician can also vary widely.

Kristina recommends the following next steps:

Interview a PhD or PsyD
Interview a counselor (LPC, MA, LLP) or social worker (LCSW, LMSW)
Speak with career counselor
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James Constantine’s Answer

Dear Vanessa,

Understanding the Distinctions Between a Counselor and a Psychologist

In the realm of mental health, it's crucial to understand the unique roles and responsibilities of counselors and psychologists. This knowledge empowers you to make informed choices when seeking professional assistance for mental health matters.

1. Academic Background and Training:

Counselors: Generally, counselors possess a master's degree in counseling or a similar discipline. They receive extensive training in therapy provision, counseling techniques, and mental health evaluations.

Psychologists: Psychologists are holders of a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology. Their training covers a broad spectrum, including psychological evaluation, diagnosis, research methodologies, and therapy techniques.

2. Professional Focus:

Counselors: Counselors primarily offer short-term counseling services to individuals grappling with daily life stressors, relationship difficulties, career hurdles, and mild to moderate mental health issues.

Psychologists: Psychologists are equipped to diagnose and treat a broad spectrum of mental health disorders using proven therapies. They often work with individuals suffering from severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

3. Certification and Credentials:

Counselors: Depending on the state, counselors can be licensed as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC), or similar titles. They are bound by ethical guidelines established by their licensing board.

Psychologists: Psychologists are licensed as either clinical or counseling psychologists. They must fulfill rigorous licensing requirements and adhere to the ethical standards prescribed by the American Psychological Association.

4. Therapeutic Techniques:

Counselors: Counselors frequently employ talk therapy methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, or interpersonal therapy to assist clients in resolving their issues.

Psychologists: Psychologists utilize a range of therapeutic models based on their specialized training. These may include psychodynamic therapy, behavioral therapy, humanistic therapy, or integrative approaches.

5. Evaluation and Diagnosis:

Counselors: Counselors may perform assessments to better comprehend clients' needs, but they typically do not diagnose mental health disorders.

Psychologists: Psychologists are skilled in conducting psychological evaluations, diagnosing mental health disorders using standardized criteria (e.g., DSM-5), and formulating treatment plans accordingly.

In conclusion, while both counselors and psychologists are integral to promoting mental health and wellness, they differ significantly in their educational qualifications, professional focus, therapeutic methods, and licensing prerequisites.

Top 3 Respected Sources Utilized in Answering this Question:

American Psychological Association (APA): The APA is a premier organization in psychology, establishing standards for education, training, ethics, and professional practice for psychologists.

American Counseling Association (ACA): The ACA is a distinguished organization offering resources for professional counselors on education, licensure requirements, ethical guidelines, and counseling best practices.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI is a trusted advocacy group providing information on mental health conditions, treatment alternatives, and support services available via counselors and psychologists.

Blessings,
JC.
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