[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The U.S. is facing a mental health crisis. In a 2022 Kaiser Family Foundation and CNN survey, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.kff.org/report-section/kff-cnn-mental-health-in-america-survey-findings/” target=”_blank”]90% of people[/hen-ui-link] agreed with that assessment. Consequently, mental health professionals, especially counselors and therapists, are in high demand.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many people think counselors and therapists are interchangeable because they both address mental, emotional, and behavioral concerns. While the two professions certainly overlap, key differences set counselors apart from therapists.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Use our guide below to explore both professions, including what it takes to become a counselor or a therapist and how much you can earn in each role.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is a Counselor?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Counselors assess clients who come for help with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders or with relational challenges. They create a treatment plan that includes non-pharmacological interventions, such as talk therapy, and teach their clients new skills for managing their lives and relationships.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Counselors who provide clinical services to clients must hold state licensure to practice in their field, and most states legally protect the terms licensed professional counselor (LPC) and licensed mental health counselor (LMHC).[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In every state, counselors must have a qualifying master’s degree or higher to meet licensure requirements. Counselors may specialize in a specific area, such as substance use, play therapy, or sex therapy, and some counselors are specially trained to work in schools.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is a Therapist?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The term “therapist” can refer to someone practicing in one of several helping professions, including physical, occupational, or speech therapy, or it may mean certain mental health professionals, including licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), behavioral therapists, addiction therapists, child therapists, and many others.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Therapists, like counselors, are master’s-level practitioners who provide non-pharmacological interventions for clients with emotional or relational dysfunctions. Also like their counselor counterparts, they must hold state licensure.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The chart below breaks down the similarities and differences between these two similar professions. As you’ll see, they are quite similar, with one main difference being that counselors focus more on meeting short-term goals, while therapists focus more on longer-term treatment.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Counselor vs. Therapist[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Counselor vs. Therapist[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Characteristics[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Counselor[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Therapist[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]State Licensure Required[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Characteristics”]Yes[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counselor”]Yes[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Bachelor’s Degree[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Characteristics”]Yes[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counselor”]Yes[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Master’s Degree[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Characteristics”]Yes[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counselor”]Yes[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Optional Specialization in Substance Use[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Characteristics”]Yes[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counselor”]Yes[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Optional Qualification as Registered Play Therapist[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Characteristics”]Yes[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counselor”]Yes[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Can Prescribe Medication[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Characteristics”]No[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counselor”]No[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Qualifies as a Social Worker[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Characteristics”]No[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counselor”]No[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Qualifies as a Psychologist[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Characteristics”]No[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counselor”]No[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Median Annual Salary (2023)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Characteristics”]$53,710[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counselor”]$58,510[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Counselor vs. Therapist: Becoming a Mental Health Professional[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]STEP 1:[/hen-ui-text] Becoming a counselor or therapist begins with a bachelor’s degree. Some graduate counseling programs prefer a [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/best-online-bachelors-counseling/”]bachelor’s degree in counseling[/hen-ui-link] or a human services field such as psychology, while others accept any academic major.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]STEP 2:[/hen-ui-text] Once you have earned a bachelor’s degree, you must complete a [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-masters-counseling/”]master’s degree in counseling[/hen-ui-link] or marriage and family therapy.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.cacrep.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CACREP-Special-Announcement-48-to-60.pdf” target=”_blank”]Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs[/hen-ui-link] (CACREP) requires counselor preparation programs to include a minimum of 60 credits.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.coamfte.org/COAMFTE/Supervision/Course_Requirements.aspx” target=”_blank”]Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education[/hen-ui-link] (COAMFTE) does not establish minimum credit hours for therapy degrees, but individual state licensing boards may.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]STEP 3:[/hen-ui-text] After graduation, if you are pursuing licensure as an LPC, LMHC, or LMFT, you need to meet state requirements. Typically, that includes passing a standardized exam and completing two or more years of supervised counseling experience under a licensed supervisor.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Counselor vs. Therapist Educational Requirements[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Requirements[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Counseling Degree[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Marriage and Family Therapy Degree[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Internship and Practicum[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Requirements”]700 hours minimum[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counseling Degree”]400 hours minimum[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Programmatic Accrediting Agency[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Requirements”]Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counseling Degree”]Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Required Credits[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Requirements”]60 credits or more[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Counseling Degree”]Varies; typically 60 credits[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Counselor vs. Therapist Salary: Who Earns More Money?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As an LPC or LMFT, you will probably earn more than a substance use counselor, case manager, or school counselor but less than a psychiatrist or psychologist. In terms of salary comparison between a counselor and a therapist, their earnings potentials are comparable.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In 2023, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/marriage-and-family-therapists.htm#tab-8″ target=”_blank”]BLS[/hen-ui-link] stated that marriage and family therapists earned a median annual salary of $58,510, and mental health counselors earned $53,710. Both salaries exceed the national median wage of $48,060 for all occupations.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, these are just data points, and your income depends on many factors. For example, LPCs and LMFTs in private practice can earn higher-than-average wages compared to those working in community mental health.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Get a Counseling or Therapy Degree[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Choose a Regionally Accredited College or University: [/hen-ui-text]Your college should hold institutional accreditation with a regional accrediting agency. Regional accreditation ensures access to financial aid, state licensure qualification, and value for your degree in the marketplace.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Prioritize Accredited Programs: [/hen-ui-text]Accreditors are different for therapists and counselors. Look for accreditation with CACREP for counseling programs and COAMFTE for therapy degrees. Some states require programmatic accreditation if you intend to pursue licensure.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Select a School That Aligns With Your Values: [/hen-ui-text]What are your beliefs regarding diversity and inclusion, counseling theories, and religion’s role in the helping relationship? Look for schools that support your beliefs and values.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Pick a Program With a Specialization You Want: [/hen-ui-text]There are several types of counseling degrees with different focus areas. If you hope to specialize in substance use disorders or career counseling, find a school that offers that specialization. Consider an [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-masters-family-counseling/”]online counseling degree program[/hen-ui-link] if you cannot find a suitable program near you.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Consider Affordability and Accessibility: [/hen-ui-text]Lastly, is your preferred program located near your home or available online? Can you afford the tuition without going deep into student loan debt? Consider these and other practical aspects of going to school before you enroll.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Counselors and Therapists[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the primary difference between a therapist and a counselor?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The primary difference lies in their scope of practice. “Therapist” can be an overarching term for anyone who works in mental health. More specifically, however, a counselor offers broad-based, non-pharmaceutical interventions for short-term issues, while therapists tend to focus on longer-term issues and treatment. Counselors also work with individuals more often than therapists, who may focus on relationship work.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In a clinical sense, counselors and therapists are both mental health clinicians with much overlap in their responsibilities. The differences between the two are often a matter of semantics.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can you be a therapist or counselor without a degree?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]No, you must hold a bachelor’s degree and a qualifying master’s degree to work as an LPC, LMHC, or LMFT. Case managers, probation officers, and some substance use disorder counselors need at least a four-year degree.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What’s the difference between a school counselor and a licensed professional counselor?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]School counselors help students thrive in educational settings. They must hold state licensure and a qualifying degree, usually a master’s in school counseling. LPCs have different licensure and academic backgrounds.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LPCs’ clients are drawn from the larger community. Mental health counselors cannot serve as school counselors, nor school counselors as mental health professionals, without additional training and certification.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What’s the difference between a counselor and a psychologist?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Counselors help people identify and solve emotional, behavioral, and relational problems. They diagnose and treat mental health issues. They hold master’s degrees and typically address a wide range of clients and issues.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Psychologists assess, research, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions. They can also help with emotional, behavioral, or relationship programs. They hold doctorates in psychology and often specialize in a single area, such as assessment, organizational psychology, or severe mental health disorders.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are differences in training and assessment methods between the two. In some states, psychologists can prescribe medications.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Do you need a doctorate to be a counselor or therapist?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]No, you do not need a doctorate to be a mental health professional. LMFTs and LPCs practice at the master’s level, so earning a [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/rankings/doctorate/”]doctorate in counseling[/hen-ui-link] or marriage and family therapy does not extend their scope of practice.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The one exception revolves around teaching. CACREP requires you to hold a Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision if you want to teach as a core faculty member in a counselor preparation program (unless you have already been grandfathered in).[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Discover More College Resources” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,905,1398″][/hen-ui-article-row]