What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
counselor
Example
I spoke with my school counselor about my college plans. [counselor: noun]
Example
She counseled me to take some time off work to focus on my mental health. [counseled: past tense verb]
therapist
Example
My therapist helped me work through my anxiety and depression. [therapist: noun]
Example
She is trained as a cognitive-behavioral therapist. [therapist: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Therapist is more commonly used than counselor in the context of mental health treatment. Therapist is a more specific term that refers to a professional who specializes in treating mental and emotional disorders, while counselor is a more general term that can refer to a range of professionals who provide guidance and support.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between counselor and therapist?
Therapist is generally considered a more formal term than counselor. While both terms can be used in formal and informal contexts, therapist is more commonly used in medical and clinical settings.
