Counselling versus Psychotherapy: what’s the difference?

Counselling versus Psychotherapy: what’s the difference?

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, counselling and psychotherapy differ mainly in depth, duration, and focus. Both aim to improve mental health and wellbeing, but they’re suited to different needs. So, Counselling versus Psychotherapy, what’s the difference?

Counselling versus Psychotherapy –

Counselling

Best for: specific, current-life issues

Counselling Focus

• Present-day problems and practical concerns
• Emotional support, coping strategies, and problem-solving

Counselling Typical issues

• Stress, grief, relationship difficulties
• Work or study pressures
• Life transitions (divorce, illness, relocation)

Counselling Style

• More structured and goal-oriented
• Short-term (weeks to a few months)
• Emphasis on practical tools and emotional processing

Example: Someone seeking counselling after a breakup to process emotions and develop coping strategies.

Counselling versus Psychotherapy – Psychotherapy

Best for: deeper or long-standing psychological issues

Psychotherapy Focus

• Underlying patterns, past experiences, and unconscious processes
• How early relationships and beliefs shape current behaviour

Psychotherapy – Typical issues

• Trauma, chronic anxiety or depression
• Personality or attachment issues
• Repeating relationship patterns

Psychotherapy Style

• In-depth and exploratory
• Often longer-term (months to years)
• May feel less structured but more reflective

Example: Someone exploring lifelong relationship difficulties rooted in childhood experiences.

Counselling versus Psychotherapy – Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect                                  Counselling                                         Psychotherapy

Timeframe                          Short-term                                          Medium to long-term

Focus                                   Present problems                             Past + present patterns

Depth                                  Surface to moderate                       Deep, exploratory

Structure                            More structured                               More open-ended

Please note Thinkshift’s principal therapist is both a counsellor and a psychotherapist.

Counselling versus Psychotherapy – Important Overlaps

• Many practitioners are trained in both
• Modern counselling can be deep; modern psychotherapy can be brief
• The therapeutic relationship matters more than the label

How to Choose

Ask yourself:

• Do I want help with a specific issue right now? → Counselling
• Do I want to understand deeper patterns or long-standing issues? → Psychotherapy

Counselling versus Psychotherapy – Counselling in Australia

• “Counsellor” is not a legally protected title in Australia
• There is no single government regulator (unlike psychology)
• Quality is ensured through professional associations and self-regulation

Counselling versus Psychotherapy – Common Professional Bodies

PACFA – Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia

Please note Thinkshift’s principal therapist is a member of both the ACA and PACFA but also the EMDR Association of Australia and the Australian Association of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy (AACHP). 

You can find out more about Andrew’s Professional Registrations here.

These bodies:

• Set training standards
• Require ongoing professional development
• Enforce ethical codes and complaints processes

Counselling Training

• Typically Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in counselling or related fields
• Less emphasis on diagnosis; more on relational and practical support
• You can discover more about Andrew’s qualifications here

Counselling Scope of Practice

• Short- to medium-term support
• Life issues, stress, grief, relationships, adjustment difficulties
• Counsellors do not diagnose mental illness

Counselling and Medicare

Not Medicare-rebated under the Better Access scheme

May be covered by:

• Private health insurance (extras) – click here to find out more about Thinkshift and Private Health Insurance Rebates
• NDIS (depending on role and registration)
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Psychotherapy in Australia

“Psychotherapist” is also not legally protected

However, the title usually implies advanced, specialised training

Most reputable psychotherapists are registered with PACFA

Psychotherapy Training

• Usually postgraduate (Master’s level or higher) in psychotherapy
• Extensive supervised clinical hours

Training often in specific modalities:

• Psychodynamic
• Gestalt
• Existential
• Somatic
• Trauma-informed therapies

Psychotherapy Scope of Practice

• Long-term or depth-oriented work
• Trauma, attachment, personality patterns
• Exploration of unconscious processes and early life experiences

Psychotherapy and Medicare

Not Medicare-rebated unless the practitioner is also:

• A registered psychologist
• An accredited mental health social worker

Otherwise, access is private fee-for-service

Where Psychologists Fit In (Important Distinction)

• Although often grouped together, psychologists are different:
• Title is legally protected
• Regulated by AHPRA
• Can diagnose mental illness
• Eligible for Medicare rebates with a Mental Health Care Plan
• Some psychologists also practise psychotherapy, but not all psychotherapists are psychologists.

Counselling versus Psychotherapy – Quick Comparison For Australia

Aspect                            Counsellor                 Psychotherapist                      Psychologist

Title protected                 ❌ No                                ❌ No                                        ✅ Yes

Regulator             Professional bodies         Professional bodies               AHPRA

Typical training  Bachelor/Master                Master+ (specialist)                    6+ years

Diagnosis                        ❌ No                                ❌ No                                        ✅ Yes

Medicare rebate            ❌ No                               ❌ No*                                       ✅ Yes

*Unless dual-qualified.

Counselling versus Psychotherapy – What Matters Most in Practice

In Australia, the label matters less than:

• Accredited training (PACFA/ACA/AHPRA)
• Supervision and ethical standards
• Experience with your issue
• The quality of the therapeutic relationship

Counselling versus Psychotherapy – Contact Us

So contact us to discuss how Andrew may be able to assist you.