Here are some notes from our BS 188 class about the similarities and differences of counselors and therapists:
Counselors
- focus is on current client issues
- relatively short-term
Psychotherapist
- focus is on more holistic & interdependent aspects of client's life
- relatively long-term
- may require specific licenses or certifications
Common Ground
- scope of clients
- therapeutic goals
- role of the counselor/therapist
- may be facilitated to individuals & groups
Note: both are diff. from a life coach because they aim to help finding solutions, but a life coach actually instructs clients what to do
I feel so silly but I'd been using these terms interchangeably - I had no idea that they were different! I do now though so I'll be much more careful in the future.