Counseling

• Focus: Resolving specific, current problems, such as stress from a job loss, decision-making, or relationship issues.
• Duration: Often short-term.
• Goal: Provide support and teach coping skills to navigate a specific challenge. 

Therapy

• Focus: Addressing deeper and more complex issues, such as a diagnosed mental health condition, past trauma, or long-standing behavioral patterns.
• Duration: Typically a longer-term process that can last months or years.
• Goal: Achieve lasting change by exploring root causes and managing more severe mental health conditions. 

How To Choose

• If you are experiencing a specific, short-term issue, counseling may be the right choice.
• If you are dealing with a diagnosed mental health condition or long-term emotional struggles, therapy is likely more beneficial.
• If you are unsure which is right for you, speak with a professional. They can help determine the best approach for your specific needs, and you can even work with more than one professional as needed.