A 50-year-old member asked:
Can any doc tell me what's the difference between a counseller and a psychotherapist ?
3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Samuel Baylesanswered
Child Psychiatry 21 years experience
Same or different: they can be the same or be different. my guess is that professionals with less training call themselves counselors and people with more training or degrees are more likely to say they are psychotherapists. but for most laypeople its probably safe to assume they are the same or very close to it.
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Dr. Johanna Frickeanswered
Pediatrics - Developmental and Behavioral 52 years experience
A counsellor can be : a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Marriage & Family Therapist, a Master of Education or a Board-Certified Behavioral Analyst. A psychotherapist usually has a Ph.D. or Psy.D. degree & the title of "Doctor." Therapy can be behavioral, cognitive-behavioral or educational; also, traditional psychotherapy, family-systems', specific techniques for phobias, PTSD or habits or, for kids, play therapy.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
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Dr. Samuel Bayles commented
Child Psychiatry 21 years experience
i don't think there's a set definition of either. a LCSW can say that they are a psychotherapist, in fact, i think even an LPC can say it. i think the same is also true for psychoanalyst. i agree that usually people stick to what you said but there's no legal mandate to do so.
Aug 25, 2014
Dr. Ana Adelsteinanswered
Clinical Psychology 29 years experience
Ask AbOut Degree: "Counsellor" & "psychotherapist" R general terms. Ppl w/ varied types of education & training use these terms. When looking 4 help re: 2 psychological concerns, ask abt education & training. There R ppl w/ (1) 4-year college degrees; (2) w/ an addtl 1-2 yrs (master's degree), & (3) w/ even more yrs (doctoral degrees). Practicing psychologists have doctorates in either clinical or counseling psych.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
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Last updated Apr 1, 2016
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