Counselling vs. Therapy: What’s the Difference?

Counselling vs. Therapy: What’s the Difference?

• Mandy Sandhu
• 15 Jan 2025

“Counselling” and “therapy” are terms often used interchangeably when discussing treatment options for mental health concerns. However, while they both involve talking to a mental health professional, they differ in some important ways.

Understanding these differences can help you make an informed choice about which approach supports your mental health best. Let’s break down the differences (and similarities) between therapy vs. counselling and discover the best option for you. 

Defining Counselling and Therapy

First and foremost, let’s define the two terms and see how they differ.

What is Counselling?

Counselling is a short-term psychological treatment where a mental health professional helps you address specific issues or hardships in your life. These challenges may include relationship difficulties, career decisions, or acute stress. Your counsellor will guide you through your issue, focusing on helping you develop coping strategies and practical solutions. 

What is Therapy?

Therapy, also known as psychotherapy or talk therapy, is a long-term mental health treatment that helps you explore and address deeper psychological issues, including diagnosed mental health conditions. A mental health professional will help you uncover patterns in your thinking and behaviour, resolve trauma, and work towards lasting emotional well-being.

Differences Between Counselling and Therapy

While both counselling and therapy aim to improve mental health, the approaches differ significantly:

Duration and Focus

Counselling is a short-term treatment that is goal-oriented and focused on current issues. Therapy is long-term and explores the root causes of issues more generally. 

Goals

Counselling helps individuals manage day-to-day challenges. Therapy aims to uncover deeper emotional, behavioural, and cognitive patterns that affect your life more broadly. It’s also used to treat diagnosed mental health conditions, including addiction. 

Techniques

Counselling usually focuses on practical advice and strategies. Therapy comes in many modalities, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT). Depending on the approach, techniques may range from a strong emphasis on the therapist asking probing questions and listening, to structured exercises designed to reshape existing thought patterns.

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Similarities Between Counselling and Therapy

Despite these differences, counselling and therapy treat mental health concerns in similar ways. They both feature:

A Safe, Confidential, and Non-Judgmental Environment

Both counselling and therapy provide a safe space for you to freely express yourself without fear of judgment. Confidentiality is guaranteed, ensuring privacy while building trust.

Evidence-Based Techniques

Counselling and therapy are rooted in scientifically proven methods, offering evidence-based approaches to support individuals effectively.

Collaborative and Client-Centred Approach

Counselling and therapy rely on a dynamic, two-way dialogue between you and a mental health professional. This collaborative partnership allows the treatment to be carefully tailored to meet your unique needs.

A Focus on Improving Mental Health and Well-Being

The ultimate focus of both counselling and therapy is to improve your mental health, resilience, and well-being.

When to Choose Counselling vs Therapy

Given these similarities, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out which option is best for you. If you’re unsure of which path to take, ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you dealing with a specific issue, mental illness, or challenge? Or do you have long-standing behavioural, emotional, or thinking patterns that negatively impact various aspects of your life?

If you’re facing acute stress—like grief, relationship issues, or career changes—but are otherwise well-adjusted, counselling may be a good option. It’s brief, often just a few sessions, and focuses on immediate solutions and practical strategies.

If you feel long-standing patterns of behaviour, emotions, or thoughts impact your life, therapy might help. These patterns often stem from childhood experiences or trauma beyond conscious awareness. Therapy can help you uncover, understand, and address these issues.

• Are you seeking treatment for a diagnosed mental health condition, or suspect you may have one?

If you’ve been diagnosed with a mental health condition like addiction, depression, or anxiety, therapy is almost always the right choice. These conditions are complex and often require both exploration and long-term intervention.

If you think you may have an undiagnosed mental health condition, therapy is a good place to start. Therapists, often with advanced doctoral degrees like a PhD or PsyD, can assess and provide a diagnosis, while most counsellors can’t.

• Are you unsure about the depth of your issues?

Understanding our issues can be tough. If you’re struggling with relationships, your attachment style might be affecting your ability to maintain healthy connections. If you’re unsure about the extent of your mental health struggles, counselling is a good place to start. Sessions may reveal deeper issues, allowing the counselor to refer you to a therapist for more complex support.

Different Types of Therapy

When considering therapy, it’s helpful to have an understanding of the various approaches available and how they can address different challenges. Here’s a brief overview of some of the most common forms of therapy:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours. For example, a person with substance addiction learns to identify triggers and develop healthier coping strategies to prevent relapse.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a form of CBT that emphasizes mindfulness, acceptance, and emotional regulation. In this approach, a person struggling with substance abuse could learn to manage stress without turning to substances.

Trauma-Informed Therapy

This therapy focuses on understanding and addressing the impact of trauma on a person’s life. Its program could include trauma survivors addressing past abuse while recovering from substance dependency.

Narrative Therapy

This type of therapy focuses on helping individuals reframe their life stories to find meaning and empowerment in their experiences. A person dealing with addiction could explore how their life story has shaped their behaviors and create a new, more empowering narrative that supports recovery.

Group Therapy

Contrary to individual therapy, this involves one or more therapists working with a group of individuals who share common issues. For instance, a group of people recovering from alcohol addiction share experiences and support each other through recovery.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy explores how unconscious thoughts and past experiences influence present behaviour. For example, a longtime addict uncovers hidden reasons for substance use tied to unresolved childhood trauma.

Family Therapy

This approach involves a family therapist working with families to improve communication and resolve conflicts. A family comes together to support a loved one’s addiction recovery by improving communication and offering help.

Image source: Pexels

Counselling vs Therapy Canada: Services Available

Counselling or therapy services are both widely available in Canada. Here’s an overview of the different aspects of accessing therapy and counselling in Canada.

Licensed Providers

Counselling and therapy services are offered by licensed professionals such as counsellors, psychologists (PhD or PsyD), and psychotherapists. Therapists have diverse backgrounds and unique skills. They often combine approaches to suit your needs.

Accessibility

Most therapy services are covered by insurance plans, while mental health services deemed “medically necessary” are provided for free through government-funded hospitals, clinics, or agencies. Some community and non-profit organizations offer accessible services, and Indigenous and Inuit communities qualify for certain federally funded mental health programs.

Virtual Options

Online therapy is becoming more common, offering flexibility for people in remote areas, people with disabilities, or those with busy schedules. Many professionals now provide virtual therapy, making mental health care more accessible than ever.

Finding the Right Fit

Finding the right counsellor and therapist for you can be an arduous process, but here are some tips to guide you:

• Consult with your family doctor: Your family doctor is a great starting point for health concerns and can refer you to a reputable mental health professional, like a counsellor or therapist.
• Check insurance coverage: Before choosing a therapist, check if your insurance will cover the cost.
• Be open to trial and error: It may take a few sessions to see if a therapist’s approach aligns with your needs. If not, don’t hesitate to keep looking, and don’t get discouraged if it takes time to find the right fit.

Your Path to Better Mental Health Starts Here

If you’ve been wondering “is therapy and counselling the same,” we hope this article helped clarify the differences. Both approaches are valuable options in your path to better mental and behavioral health.  The choice between therapy vs. counselling ultimately depends on your personal needs.  

At Freedom From Addiction, we can make your choice simpler. Our intake process is designed to evaluate your unique situation and tailor the best treatment plan for your needs. We offer a range of counselling and therapy services (in multiple modalities) to support you on your journey to recovery. Take your first step towards healing. Reach out and explore your options today.