What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
psychotherapy
Example
She has been undergoing psychotherapy for her anxiety disorder. [psychotherapy: noun]
Example
The therapist used psychotherapy to help the patient work through their childhood trauma. [psychotherapy: verb]
counseling
Example
The school counselor provided counseling to students struggling with stress and anxiety. [counseling: noun]
Example
The couple sought counseling to improve their communication and resolve conflicts. [counseling: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Counseling is more commonly used than psychotherapy in everyday language. Counseling is often associated with more informal settings, such as schools or community centers, while psychotherapy is more commonly associated with clinical or medical settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between psychotherapy and counseling?
Psychotherapy is generally considered more formal than counseling, due to its more structured and clinical approach, as well as the higher level of training required for psychotherapists.
