If you’re considering a career in therapy, you’ve likely heard the terms counselling and psychotherapy. Both fields involve helping people overcome challenges and improve their mental wellbeing, but they have important distinctions. Understanding these differences can help you decide which career path aligns best with your interests and goals.

At its core, counselling tends to focus on addressing specific issues in the present, while psychotherapy delves deeper into long-standing patterns and the underlying causes of a person’s difficulties.
 

Counselling: Practical and Present-Focused

Counselling is often described as short term and focused on immediate concerns. For instance, a counsellor might help a client navigate grief, resolve workplace stress, or improve communication in relationships. The emphasis is on exploring thoughts and feelings while finding practical strategies to manage them. Counsellors frequently work with conscious processes — what’s happening in a client’s mind right now — and use techniques like active listening, reflection, and problem-solving to create a supportive environment​.
 

Psychotherapy: Depth and Discovery

Psychotherapy often involves longer-term engagement, looking at deeper-rooted issues such as trauma, childhood experiences, or patterns in relationships. It may explore subconscious and unconscious processes, helping clients understand the 'why' behind their struggles. Psychotherapists use a broader range of approaches, such as psychodynamic techniques or somatic work, and aim for fundamental changes in a person’s psyche​.
 

Training Requirements: What’s Involved?

The training paths for counsellors and psychotherapists can differ in depth and duration.

Counsellors typically complete a diploma or undergraduate qualification (often Level 4 or higher in the UK) that includes theory, practice, and a supervised placement. Many counselling courses can be completed part time over two years, making it an accessible option for career changers​.

Psychotherapists undergo more extensive training, usually requiring a master’s degree or equivalent. This training often spans five years or more and includes personal therapy, psychiatric placements, and detailed case studies. Membership with professional bodies like the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) or British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) is a hallmark of qualified psychotherapists​.
 

Overlap and Flexibility in Practice

While counselling and psychotherapy are distinct, they are not mutually exclusive. Many therapists incorporate elements of both, tailoring their approach to individual clients. A counsellor might work deeply with a client over time, while a psychotherapist might address short-term issues as part of a broader treatment plan. Ultimately, the quality and style of therapy depend more on the individual practitioner’s training, experience, and therapeutic approach​ combined with the client’s individual needs.
 

Which Path is Right for Me?

Deciding whether to become a counsellor or a psychotherapist depends on your interests and career aspirations:

• If you’re drawn to helping people navigate immediate challenges and are looking for a practical, accessible entry into the field, counselling could be your ideal path.
• If you’re interested in exploring deep psychological processes and are prepared for a longer training journey, psychotherapy might be more appealing.

A Continuum of Care

Some professionals see counselling and psychotherapy as part of a continuum rather than strictly separate disciplines. Both fields require empathy, dedication, and a commitment to ongoing learning. Whether you choose to become a counsellor or psychotherapist, you’ll play a vital role in supporting others on their journey to mental wellbeing​.

If you’re ready to take the next step, explore accredited training programmes and consider speaking to professionals in both fields to gain insight into their day-to-day work. Therapy is a deeply rewarding career that offers the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives.

Interested in the counselling route? Check out our diploma, and see if it’s the right course for you.