Counselor or Licensed Professional Counselor: A General Overview
Professionals who identify themselves as a "counselor" generally have received a Masters degree in counseling, clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy or another relevant field. There is great diversity between the different approaches to counseling; however, most of these programs focus primarily on training individuals in therapy or counseling skills. Some degrees focus on assessment and diagnosis, too. However, many states do not allow Master's level therapist to perform assessment and diagnosis or will only allow them to perform this function on a limited basis.
The most common type of licensure for this group of mental health professionals is the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). However, specific titles vary from state to state.
How are Counselors Different than Psychologists?
The main difference between a counselor and a psychologist is the level of training. Counselors generally are licensed to practice at the Masters level while Psychologists are trained at the doctorate level. Generally, the training of psychologists is more extensive than that of a counselor. Be careful, though; this doesn't necessaril mean they are a better therapist. The quality of the therapist often depends more on the individual than the degree they have obtained.
What About Professionals with a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology?
This is the degree that confuses much of what has been said previously, so let me try to clarify. Most people who receive their doctorate in Counseling Psychology become licensed as a Clinical Psychologist and are more likely to refer to themselves as a psychologist than as a counselor. Today, most counseling psychology and clinical psychology programs are very similar.