There is a difference between therapy and counseling, although the two terms are so often used interchangeably.
Therapy refers to more in-depth work that involves exploration of possible causal factors in a person’s presenting complaints, working through potentially complex psychological issues, and processing difficult and personal information. Historically, therapy has tended to be longer-lasting than counseling, although that is no longer necessarily the case.
Counseling is usually used to refer more to shorter-term treatment which focuses on teaching skills, directing to community resources, and action-oriented behavioral change.
Therapy tends to go deeper and counseling lighter. Therapy tends to focus inward, while counseling focuses outward, i.e. changing things in the environment or training/teaching the client new behaviors to bring about changes in their lives. Therapy is generally more intensive, personal work that can bring about deeper, more lasting change.
I have done lots of both and believe that the best work done is integrative and holistic, utilizing both approaches as appropriate to the person, place and time.
Therapy refers to more in-depth work that involves exploration of possible causal factors in a person’s presenting complaints, working through potentially complex psychological issues, and processing difficult and personal information. Historically, therapy has tended to be longer-lasting than counseling, although that is no longer necessarily the case.
Counseling is usually used to refer more to shorter-term treatment which focuses on teaching skills, directing to community resources, and action-oriented behavioral change.
Therapy tends to go deeper and counseling lighter. Therapy tends to focus inward, while counseling focuses outward, i.e. changing things in the environment or training/teaching the client new behaviors to bring about changes in their lives. Therapy is generally more intensive, personal work that can bring about deeper, more lasting change.
I have done lots of both and believe that the best work done is integrative and holistic, utilizing both approaches as appropriate to the person, place and time.
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