What is the difference between a Counselor, a Psychologist and a Psychotherapist?

These terms can often overlap, however it is useful to know the difference between these modalities.  The main differences often appear in the training.  Psychologist training tends to be longer, and usually trained to deal with a variety of issues ranging from Schizophrenia through to Clinical depression.  Counsellors on the other hand tend to deal more (but not exclusively) with life’s issues, such as relationships, stress and other everyday problems. Both are a way of interaction - between a Counselor or Psychotherapist on one side and the client(s) on the other side, with the goal to cause changes in feeling and behaviour of the client.

A Counselor is a person who works with clients to help them explore difficulties they may be having, distress they may be experiencing or perhaps their dissatisfaction with life, or loss of a sense of direction and purpose.  Counsellors training can vary, although all counselors at Alliance Professional Counselling have completed a masters degree in counselling at minimum.

A Psychologist is a person who holds a University-Masters Degree in Psychology

A Psychotherapist is a (Clinical-)Psychologist with extensive therapeutic training. A licensed psychotherapist obtains a master's degree or doctorate in a chosen mental health field, undergoes a supervised clinical residency, and is licensed, certified, or registered by a government or psychological agency to which they are accountable.