Counselor vs. Therapist: Key Differences to Help Deciding Which Career is Right for You

Programs Currently Accepting Applicants

Walden University : MS in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited, five specializations to choose from)

Walden University : MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited, six specializations to choose from)

Northwestern University : Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (Complete your COAMFTE-accredited MFT online program in as few as 21 months. No GRE required.)

Grand Canyon University : Master's Degree in Counseling (Affordable Program with No Out of State Tuition)

Liberty University : MA: Marriage and Family Therapy (Online with required intensives)

Liberty University : MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited) (Online with required intensives)

Capella University : Counseling & Therapy (CACREP Accreditation. Master's and PhD options available. )

Northwestern University : Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Capella University : BS in Psychology - Applied Behavior Analysis ((Online))

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Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program

School and Program Information	Online Program? Entry Requirements	Course Information
Walden University MS in School Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online GRE scores not required	School counselors help students overcome obstacles and shape successful futures. Walden’s online MS in School Counseling program will give you a solid foundation in school counseling theories, approaches, and best practices while enabling you to gain hands-on experience. Learn More
Walden University MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online GRE scores not required	Mental health counselors play a valuable role in helping people cope with life’s challenges. Walden’s online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program can help you become the competent, compassionate counselor you know you can be. Learn More
Northwestern University Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy COAMFTE Accredited	✔ Online GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required	The COAMFTE-accredited MFT@Northwestern is offered by The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 21 months. No GRE is required, but applicants must hold an undergraduate degree. Full and part-time tracks available. Learn More
Grand Canyon University Master's Degree in Counseling HLC and NASAC Accredited	✔ 100% Online Over 14 Specializations Available	Affordable with No Out of State Tuition Learn More
Liberty University MA: Marriage and Family Therapy SACSCOC	✔ Online Online with required intensives	A Liberty University marriage and family therapy master’s program online can prepare you to help individuals, couples, and families find healing through counseling. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. Learn More
Liberty University MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited) CACREP Accredited	✔ Online Online with required intensives	Our CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling degree online can help you become an ethical, well-trained mental health counselor with the knowledge, values, and skills you need to empower others to make positive changes in their lives. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. Learn More
Capella University Counseling & Therapy CACREP Accredited	✔ Online GRE Not Required	Offering master’s degree programs in clinical mental health counseling and school counseling. Doctoral degree program available in counselor education & supervision. No GRE required. Learn More
Northwestern University Online MA in Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required	Prepare to pursue licensure in as few as 18 months Full-time, part-time, and accelerated track options available Learn More
Capella University BS in Psychology - Applied Behavior Analysis	✔ Online No GMAT or GRE required	Gain skills and knowledge to help transform the lives of people living with autism and other intellectual disabilities. Study with confidence in a program that meets the educational requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA) examination. Applicants must meet additional requirements to qualify. Learn More

*Sponsored Counseling Programs

☰ For detailed degree information, view the guides to:
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs

MS in School Counseling Program at Walden University

Walden University - MS in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Walden University

Walden University - MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Northwestern University

Northwestern University - Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE Accredited)

Master's Degree in Counseling Program at Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University - Master's Degree in Counseling (NASAC Accredited)

MA: Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Liberty University

Liberty University - MA: Marriage and Family Therapy (SACSCOC Accredited)

MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited) Program at Liberty University

Liberty University - MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited) (CACREP Accredited)

Counseling & Therapy Program at Capella University

Capella University - Counseling & Therapy (CACREP Accredited)

Online MA in Counseling Program at Northwestern University

Northwestern University - Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

BS in Psychology - Applied Behavior Analysis Program at Capella University

Capella University - BS in Psychology - Applied Behavior Analysis (Capella University is HLC Accredited)

What Is a Counselor?

To start, consider each of the two roles individually. One of the most common career fields for students interested in mental health is counseling. Professionals who have achieved the rank of counselor within their organization can be very important and influential in their clients’ lives. The role of the counselor can vary according to the needs of the client, making this a versatile field for those trained to provide guidance in a clinical setting.

Counselors use proven techniques to assess, diagnose, and treat the people who come to them for help. Counseling patients may include those who have experienced loss in their lives, families struggling to find common ground, or even individuals diagnosed with mental health illnesses or disorders.

In some counseling jobs, you could work with people who have a specific diagnosis, such as depression, anxiety, or even schizophrenia. Other mental health disorders that counselors may treat include intermittent explosive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and bipolar disorder.

As a counselor, your duties can include general clinical assessments, creating and implementing effective and relevant treatment plans over the course of several one-on-one sessions with your clients. Depending on your clients’ needs, you may use different types of therapy to help them achieve the goals of their treatment plans.

What Is a Therapist?

During difficult circumstances, therapy may be a significant factor in changing one’s outlook of a situation. Therapists can provide support to clients with a diverse set of needs, making them vital for helping their clients cope with life’s hardships.

Therapists differ from counselors in that their credentials can include a wide range of degree majors. Graduates from schools of social work; psychology; and even specialized areas, such as marriage and family therapy (MFT), can become licensed therapists after meeting the educational and practical guidelines within their state.

In some areas of therapy, professionals hold degrees in the field of psychology rather than counseling. This discipline allows you to explore some of the scientific principles of behavior, different modes of testing, and varied treatment options that other therapists in the field use.

Counselor vs. Therapist: Online Programs to Consider

No matter whether you choose a counselor or therapist path, enrolling in an online program can be a critical first step toward cultivating the right skills and competencies for success. Counseling programs should hold accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), making your search more centered on high-quality options in your area.

In the list below, you can see a couple of online and accredited options offered to students looking for counseling careers. Whether you choose to pursue your certification through online or on-campus programs, accreditation and quality should be your primary considerations before moving forward.

North Carolina Central University: Online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and Career Counseling
Regent University: Online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling; and School Counseling

The path to becoming a licensed therapist should consist of similar aspirations and considerations as the counseling track listed above. If you would like the most flexibility with your program, online options may be your best choice as you step into college programs within your field.

Since therapists can come from various specializations and certification areas, you may have many more diverse degree programs to choose from to find your perfect fit. Some students find psychology-based master’s degrees to be a great complement to their skills, while others may find social work or therapy-specific concentrations to be more reflective of their goals in the field. Take a look at a few programs that the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Education (COAMFTE) have accredited:

California State University: Online Master of Clinical Social Work (CSWE accredited)
Alliant International University: Online Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE accredited)

Educational Requirements

With either profession, you will need to earn a master’s-level education to get the licensure you need to practice.

The big distinction between becoming a counselor vs. a therapist is in the type of degree program you choose. The field of counseling usually requires that you enroll in a Master of Counseling program or even an alternative specialized option such as:

Clinical mental health counseling
School counseling
Career counseling

Choosing a specialization can help you qualify for careers in the agencies that serve the purpose that is most closely related to your own personal mission.

People considering a career as a therapist can choose from a wide variety of program types. These can include the following:

Master of Counseling
Master of Social Work

Browsing the various forms of therapy and specialized practice available in the field can assist you with finding a program that gets you in touch with the population you would most like to serve.

Finishing a master’s program at your school is not the only step to consider for entry into either of these fields. One of the most important requirements for counseling and therapy is your supervised clinical experience. This aspect usually occurs at points during your coursework, as well as continuing after your graduation.

Classes to Take

In considering the counselor or therapist role, a few common courses may prove foundational:

Ethics and Legal Issues: This course may include a look into the history and development of the field of mental health. It may also explore current trends leading the field as well as the cultural expectations of professional mental health, providing upcoming professionals with a strong foundation and understanding of their practice in the professional environment. Current laws, regulations, and expectations may also be reviewed as part of learning in this class.
Diagnosis and Assessment: The process of diagnosis beginning with a clinical intake should follow a certain set of guidelines followed by all mental health professionals. This course outlines the process by which professionals make clinical decisions that can dictate treatment for their patients. Students in this course may study and practice from the DSM-5 in an effort to become more familiar with common mental health illnesses and disorders, as well as the assessment processes available for use in clinical settings.
Individual and Group Counseling/Therapy: Different methods and skills in your field can assist you in obtaining careers in diverse fields and help you work with a wide range of clients during your career. The dynamics of individual and group counseling and therapy can be very different depending on your specialization, making this course extremely important for your professional development. Communication, technique, and activity introduction are just a few of the topics you may focus on in this course.

Counseling Licensure

In fields responsible for providing mental health services to the public, you should expect to see strict licensing requirements. Regardless of whether you choose a career path in the field of counseling or therapy, you might be expected to complete an accredited degree option as well as work through a clinical experience requirement.<

Searching for accredited programs can be done by exploring the websites of popular accreditation agencies, such as CACREP and CSWE. These agencies can provide you with a list of verified online college programs to browse, even by state and current accreditation status.

Types of Counseling Licensure

Below are some of the licenses you can pursue in counseling, therapy, social work, and behavior analysis.

Online counseling and therapy programs may also include practicum or internship components to assist you in getting started as a practitioner in your field. These experiences can contribute to your overall field requirements for licensure, which continue after you have received your degree.

Overall, most field requirements generally consist of around two years of supervised experience in the field, which is completed under the direct supervision of a licensed professional. This allows you to gain your needed experience for licensure while helping clients work through pressing issues in their personal lives.

At the end of your clinical experience, you may be required to also pass a licensure examination and state law test that is specific to your state’s expectations of mental health professionals. Once you have progressed through these tests of your ability, you can be eligible for a license and ready to work in your community.

Counselor vs. Therapist Career Path

Several subspecialties in counseling and mental health treatment are worth pursuing. Here are just a few of the most common examples.

School Counselor vs. Therapist

The biggest distinction between a school counselor vs. therapist is that school counselors are more narrowly focused on working within an academic setting and on helping students address a range of issues that may relate to education and career (e.g., applying to college) or other psychological issues (e.g., bullying, self-esteem, or even problems with substance abuse).

Mental Health Counselor vs. Therapist

Between themental health counselor vs. therapist roles, a licensed mental health counselor has more advanced and specialized training to address mental health disorders. These disorders may include depression, anxiety, or trauma. A therapist may help clients talk through some of these issues, but their practice tends to be focused on more general issues, such as difficulties with family or relationships.

Licensed Professional Counselor vs. Therapist

There is significant crossover between the licensed professional counselor vs. therapist roles, and the terms may sometimes be used interchangeably. The big distinction in terms of day-to-day practice is that a licensed counselor may have a practice more narrowly focused on addressing mental health issues, whereas therapists can be more generalized.

Specialization is also the main distinction between the marriage counselor vs. therapist roles. The former is simply a more focused field, allowing you to work with individuals and with couples to address problems within their relationship or family dynamics more generally.

Counselor vs. Therapist vs. Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist

Where do psychologists and psychiatrists fit into all of this? To understand the distinctions between counselor vs. therapist vs. psychologist vs. psychiatrist roles, a good rule of thumb is that psychologists study mental behaviors and processes. They also tend to be more focused on diagnosing and treating clinical mental health disorders. In some cases, they may recommend that their patients see a counselor or therapist to talk through some of their struggles. Meanwhile, a psychiatrist is a mental health professional with a medical degree and thus the ability to prescribe medications as needed.

Find the Right Counselor or Therapist Degree

If you are interested in a career in mental health, you should take a deeper look into what each career path entails. Explore some resources with program details, specific courses and specializations, and schools that are currently accepting applicants. Find the right program for you and start your path toward professional success.

Sources
Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, Directory of COAMFTE Accredited Programs
Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, Find a Program
Council on Social Work Education, Directory of Accredited Programs
Healthline, “How to Choose a Counselor vs. Therapist”
Indeed, Clinical Psychologist vs. Therapist: What Is the Difference?
Indeed, Mental Health Counselor vs. Psychologist: What’s the Difference?
Mana Medical Associates, “Therapist vs. Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist: What’s the Difference?”
Psychology Today, “What’s the Difference Between Counselors and Therapists?”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Marriage and Family Therapists
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Psychologists
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Therapists, All Other

Still Looking for a Counseling Degree?

Here are some of the most popular online counseling programs. On each page you will find a detailed write-up of the program, specific courses, and schools that offer that program that are currently accepting applicants.