Counsellor vs psychologist

In the world of mental health and wellbeing, the roles of a counsellor and a psychologist can have similarities, particularly in their commitment to helping individuals navigate emotional and psychological challenges.

However, this shared aspect can be confusing, particularly if you’re considering a career in either. Understanding the different academic requirements and the diverse techniques used in each role is important to help you make an informed decision. This article will delve into the counsellor vs psychologist discussion, providing valuable insights to help you make the best career choice.

What is the difference between a counsellor and psychologist?

We spoke with Amber Rules, a clinical psychotherapist and Director of Rough Patch Affordable Counselling, for her insight on the topic. 

What is a counsellor?

“Counsellors in Australia can have a variety of academic training, from certificate and diploma-level qualifications to master’s degrees in counselling or related fields,” Amber explains. “The term 'counsellor' isn't regulated, but reputable clinical counsellors will be registered with a professional association to ensure they are working ethically.”

Accredited counselling courses play a pivotal role in helping individuals gain the necessary qualifications and credentials to become professional counsellors. The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) are the peak national associations for counsellors and they exist to ensure practitioners meet appropriate standards.

“Counsellors have a broad scope of training options in different modalities and approaches. These approaches include existential therapy, narrative therapy, gestalt therapy, art therapy, music therapy, play therapy, somatic psychotherapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy and many more.”

What are the responsibilities of a counsellor?

In Australia, counsellors play a significant role in assisting people facing various challenges. They offer support and talk therapy services on varied topics such as relationship issues, depression, anxiety, loss and grief, mental health diagnoses, parenting issues, drug and alcohol use, disordered eating, and more, as well as guidance on career, education and employment choices and provide valuable job-seeking resources.

Counsellors provide a safe and empathetic environment where clients can explore their emotions, cope with stress and develop effective strategies for managing a variety of mental health conditions. For example, counsellors can help address anxiety, depression and relationship issues.

Counselling career options 

Counselling jobs are interesting and varied. Amber says counsellors can work across various settings and industries, including:

• healthcare, education and employment
• community mental health
• private practice
• drug and alcohol clinics or rehabs
• financial, grief, couples and family counselling
• disability support and youth work
• nursing homes
• crisis hotlines

Counsellor salary

According to SEEK, a typical counsellor’s salary in Australia is between $90,000 to $100,000 per year. If you specialise as a school counsellor, your salary would be around $90,000, or a guidance counsellor’s salary typically sits at $113,000.

What is a psychologist?

The term ’psychologist’ is regulated by the Psychology Board of Australia, and psychologists must be registered to practice. While a clinical psychologist may be the role people are most familiar with, there are, in fact, at least nine different types of psychologists. 

Amber shares, “Psychologists tend to train in cognitive-behavioural approaches but have a broader scope which includes talk therapy, and can also include forensic psychology, organisational psychology, sports psychology, education, research and clinical psychology. Depending on their training, psychologists can also assess and diagnose mental illnesses.”

What are the responsibilities of a psychologist?

In Australia, psychologists and psychotherapists play a crucial role in supporting people in various aspects of their lives. They listen, evaluate and offer support for cognitive, emotional and behavioural challenges.

The responsibilities of a psychologist can also extend beyond individual therapy, whereby they actively engage in research, policy development and public education to advance the understanding and treatment of mental health issues in the broader community.

Psychology career options

Psychologists can also work in varied specialised areas of psychology, including:

• clinical
• counselling
• educational
• organisational
• forensic psychology
• sports psychology
• health psychology
• neuropsychology
• rehabilitation
• research and academia.

Psychologist salary

According to Seek, a typical salary for a psychologist in Australia is around $103,000, while a clinical psychologist’s salary is typically $115,000.

Should I become a counsellor or a psychologist?

This answer largely depends on your interests, career goals and lifestyle preferences. If you’re passionate about specialising in a particular area of practice and are willing to commit to extensive education and training, psychology might be the right choice. On the other hand, if you seek a profession that allows you to make a difference in people’s lives with a shorter path to qualification, counselling could be your calling.

Amber says, “Studying psychology and counselling will give you a great grounding in both disciplines and a much broader range of employment options. Many therapists begin by studying one discipline in their undergraduate course and switching to the other for their master’s training.”

Counsellors and psychologists are both in demand in Australia. According to Labour Market Insights, the need for counsellors is expected to grow by 14.2 per cent in the five years to 2026. The demand for psychologists is expected to grow by 13.3 per cent in the same period.

Amber shares, “There’s no doubt that we benefit from the expertise of both counsellors and psychologists in Australia; while there is plenty of crossover, both types of clinicians offer specialised skills that support people at different stages of life. Having access to mental health providers with a range of expertise, training and experience is an essential part of the mental health landscape, which ensures dignity of choice for clients.”

How to become a counsellor or a psychologist

Whether you’re looking for online counselling courses to begin your counselling career, or online psychology courses to advance your psychology career, at GlobalHealth Education our partner universities have you covered.

To become a psychologist, you’ll typically need to invest six or more years in education and training, culminating in an advanced degree. James Cook University's (JCU) Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) online course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). The bridging course offers a pathway for those seeking a career change to become a psychologist.

It takes less time to become a counsellor due to the profession not being regulated. However, employers typically prefer to hire counsellors with formal qualifications. Both Edith Cowan University (EDU) and the University of Canberra (UC) offer online counselling courses. ECU’s Graduate Certificate of Counselling is designed for students with a bachelor’s degree who want to expand their foundational counselling skills. It is a pathway to the Master of Counselling, which is accredited by the ACA.

UC’s Graduate Certificate in Counselling, Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Master of Counselling can take you from learning the foundations of counselling, all the way through to becoming a fully qualified counsellor with enhanced practical skills. All courses are accredited by the ACA.

Explore our comprehensive guides on psychology career pathways and how to become a counsellor for more detailed insights.

Study counselling or psychology with GlobalHealth Education's partners 

Ready to pursue a career as a counsellor or psychologist? Explore our list of course below to speak to a Speak to a Student Enrolment Advisor who can provide personalised guidance on choosing the right postgraduate course for you. Whether you choose counselling or psychology, both professions offer meaningful opportunities to make a positive impact on individuals and communities, contributing to the vital field of mental health care.