Difference between counselling and therapy

[Kairi]

Hi,

I have been hearing the terms counselling and therapy all over the place. Can I please ask what is the difference between the two and who should I go to for the first port of call?

[K8]

I went to a licensed clinical psychologist (PhD).  I don't know whether she is a therapist or counselor or what.  I think mainly you need to find someone with whom you can work, whatever the title.

- Kate

[Kay]

For regular people, I think it's mostly a matter of semantics.  I call mine a counselor, but he's a licensed therapist with all sorts of alphabet soup after his name.   
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If you asked someone in the psych field for the official difference, they would probably tell you that anyone without a degree can be a counselor, but only someone who has achieved one of a certain set of degrees can be considered a therapist.  So officially, it's about how much training they've had.
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If you're looking to begin HRT or get letters of any sort, you're going to want to see someone who has a degree (therapist) of some sort to give their recommendation weight with whatever doctor you give the letter to.  If you're just sorting out life issues, and such letters and recommendations aren't important...it doesn't matter who you go to as long as you feel you can work with them.

[Debra]

Yeah I think they are the same thing essentially

[pebbles]

I'm not sure what the difference between counciling and therapy is.

I know that psychologists however are the guys who diagnose you with stuff they don't console you.
therapists ask you questions and are supposed to help you find whats right by you.

[Cruelladeville]

Counselling = advice, opinion or instruction given in directing the judgment or conduct of another...i.e. an interchange of opinions as to future procedure; consultation...and deliberation....

Therapy = the treatment of physical, mental, social disorders or disease... so you could say this has physically interventions i.e. physiotherapy; or electrotherapy

Similarly a Psychotherapist deals in the treatment of psychological disorders by utilising techniques such as psychoanalysis, group therapy, or behavioural therapy...

Where as a Psychiatrist is a physician fully trained medical (doctor) whom practices psychiatry...and importantly can treat you organically by prescribing drugs to affect changes...