Counseling and therapy are often used interchangeably, but there are some key differences between them. Counseling is usually focused on a specific issue for a limited amount of time while therapy helps you understand yourself and your patterns of thought, feelings, and behaviors. Counseling involves working with a clinical mental health counselor/therapist on a specific issue for a limited amount of time. Usually, counseling focuses on a specific issue for a limited amount of time. Many clinicians may be trained in both therapy and counseling.

Therapy can be more long-term and focuses on you as an individual — how you see yourself and the world, your thoughts, and your behaviors, as well as the underlying patterns of why you do the things you do. You usually go to therapy sessions on a more long-term basis. Therapy can include counseling on specific issues that arise during your conversations with your therapist. On the other hand, if a counselor sees underlying patterns and concerns that affect the issues at hand, they may recommend that you start therapy.