Psychological training and assistance varies in the world.

Before you look for your country farther below, here is a quick 4-part guide to inform you about the differences of roles held by “counselors” versus “psychotherapists.” To get the best help for your level of need or crisis, you should try to understand what makes these roles distinct.

Part 1: About Definitions

In some countries, “mental health counselors” and “psychotherapists” are roles which aren’t defined well by laws or health associations.

In other countries, there are distinct legal and clinical differences.

Furthermore, English-speaking countries use alternate spellings for derivatives of the word “counsel.” The United States uses a single-L convention for “counselor” and “counselling” whereas the United Kingdom (UK) uses a double-L convention for “counsellor” and “counselling.” Most countries seem to use the double-L convention of the UK. For the sake of consistency and spacing, this website uses the American single-L convention.

Regardless, the spellings of these words will not tell you what exactly what the definitions and specific roles are for counselors/counsellors.

Part 2: About the Word “Counselors”

Because the word “counselor” can mean many different types of roles and jobs which people may hold, it is important to realize distinct categories of counselors and what they are meant for.

In the realms of education and career development, “counselor” can refer to an “academic guidance counselor” or to an “employment counselor.” They give advice to students and job-seekers about school and career issues. Some of these counselors are Psychologists who have graduate school degrees, but their roles as an “academic guidance counselor” or “employment counselor” aren’t the same as psychologists who are either “mental health Counselors” or “Psychotherapists.”

This is important to note because some Psychologists can serve in different types of counseling roles depending upon their education and country. In some countries, certain types of Psychologists can provide either counseling or psychotherapy.

Part 3: About the Role of Mental Health Counselors

In the context of psychological or social crises, there are countries with laws which consider mental health “Counselors” as professionals (who have a Social Work masters degree or Psychology doctoral degree) or trained volunteers (without a related degree) who help people who are suffering from an immediate personal or social crisis.

Regardless, mental health Counselors are trained to immediately provide short-term suggestions, charity resources, or government resources for crises which are personal or social.

Mental health Counselors are also often trained to inform people about mental health services and psychotherapists which could be suitable.

While a mental health Counselor might ascertain a crisis or symptoms of a mental illness, they do not have a role to diagnose illnesses.

In contrast, Psychotherapists might not have as many resources for to suggest because they focus upon long-term improvement.