Most of the time, counseling and psychotherapy refer to the same thing.
Technically, the word counselor means advisor, or one who advises or teaches. In counseling it is
understood that two individuals are putting their heads together in an intellectual manner in order to
solve a problem. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, is a term that, generally speaking, refers to the
“treatment of mental and emotional disorders through the use of psychological techniques designed
to encourage communication of conflicts and insights into problems, with the goal being personality
growth and behavior modification”

Across most areas of counseling, typical work activities include:
establishing a relationship of trust and respect with clients;
agreeing a counseling contract to lay down what will be covered in sessions (including
confidentiality issues);
encouraging clients to talk about issues they feel they cannot normally share with others;
actively listening to client concerns and empathizing with their position;
accepting without bias the issues raised by clients;
helping clients towards a deeper understanding of their concerns;
challenging any inconsistencies in what clients say or do;
helping clients to make decisions and choices regarding possible ways forward;
referring clients to other sources of help, as appropriate;
keeping records.

"Psychotherapy" on the other hand is generally a longer-term treatment, which focuses more on
gaining insight into chronic physical and emotional problems. Its focus is on the patient's thought
processes and way of being in the world rather than specific problems.

In actual practice there may be quite a bit of overlap between the two. A therapist may provide
counseling with specific situations and a counselor may function in a psychotherapeutic manner.
Generally speaking, however, psychotherapy requires more skill than simple counseling. It is
conducted by professionals trained to practice psychotherapy such as a psychiatrist, a trained
counselor, social worker or psychologist.
While a psychotherapist is qualified to provide
counseling, a counselor may or may not possess the necessary training and skills to provide
psychotherapy.
Most of the time, counseling and psychotherapy refer to the same thing. In all probability, there is
some counseling and some psychotherapy intermittently taking place in the course of any single
therapeutic hour.