Although the terms counseling and therapy are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between psychotherapy and psychological counseling. Counseling focuses on specific issues and is designed to help a person address a particular problem, such as addiction or stress management. The focus may be on problem-solving or on learning specific techniques for coping with or avoiding problem areas. Counseling is also usually more short-term than therapy. www.webmd.com

Most counselors don’t handle diagnoses – that’s for clinical psychologists. Counselors can help with life transitions, such as adjusting to new surroundings; juggling responsibilities such as work, school and family; coping with test anxiety; struggling with low self-esteem or a lack of assertiveness; and relationship problems. Counselors also work with the military and LGBTQ community and in disaster zones, among others.

Patients typically meet with their counselor for 50 minutes once a week – shorter for kids and in time-pressed settings like schools. Though it depends on each person’s needs, the relationship tends to last five to ten visits. health.usnews.com