If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stressed, it’s normal to search for support. But with so many terms like “counselling” and “therapy” floating around, it can be confusing to know where to start. You might wonder: is there a difference between counselling and therapy? How can either help with the anxiety, overwhelm, or stress you’re experiencing?
As a therapist experienced therapist, I’m here to break down the key differences—and most important discuss how both can support your mental well-being.
Counselling vs. Psychotherapy: What’s the Difference?
While the terms "counselling" and "psychotherapy" are often used interchangeably, they can refer to different approaches depending on the context.
Counselling is often seen as short-term and focused on specific issues. It’s ideal for addressing immediate concerns like managing stress or navigating a big life transition, such as a career change, relationship issues, or coping with grief. Counsellors typically provide guidance, coping strategies, and tools to help individuals manage their current struggles.
Psychotherapy, on the other hand, tends to take a longer-term approach. Therapy often explores underlying patterns, emotions, and beliefs that may contribute to ongoing issues like anxiety, depression, or chronic stress. In therapy, the goal is not just symptom relief but also deepening self-awareness and creating lasting changes in your mental health.
In Ontario, registered social workers (RSWs) like myself, and registered psychotherapists are fully trained and licensed to offer both counselling and psychotherapy services. Our training is often grounded in evidence-based practices, principles of empathy, non-judgment, and empowerment.
When Counselling Can Be Helpful for Stress and Overwhelm
When you're feeling stressed and overwhelmed, counselling can offer immediate relief by providing practical tools to manage life’s demands. A few ways counselling can help you is by supporting you with:
The development of coping strategies: You’ll learn effective, personalized techniques to manage stress in the moment. This might include breathing exercises, time management strategies, or grounding techniques to bring you back to the present.
Problem-solving solutions: A trained professional can help you break down overwhelming problems into manageable steps, helping you feel more in control.
Improved communication: Whether it’s with a partner, coworker, or family member, counselling can help you express your needs more clearly and assertively, which can reduce the pressure you're feeling in relationships.
Counselling is great for anyone looking for quick, actionable solutions to current challenges. It helps you feel more grounded, less reactive, and better able to handle the stresses of everyday life.
Psychotherapy for Anxiety: Going Deeper for Long-Term Change
While counselling is focused on the “here and now,” therapy often digs into the “why.” If you’re experiencing chronic anxiety, overwhelm, or stress that feels deeply rooted, therapy can help by uncovering the underlying causes.
Using approaches like Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Psychodynamic Therapy, we can work together to identify thought patterns or emotional wounds that may be contributing to your anxiety or other challenges . Therapy allows you to:
Challenge negative thought patterns: With CBT, for instance, we explore the negative thoughts driving your anxiety or other challenges and work to reframe them into more balanced, realistic perspectives.
Understand emotional triggers: DBT offers skills in emotion regulation and distress tolerance, helping you cope with intense emotions without becoming overwhelmed.
Unpack deeper issues: Psychodynamic therapy helps explore past experiences that may be influencing your current mental health. This can provide insight into unresolved emotions, relational patterns, or unconscious conflicts that fuel stress and anxiety.
How Counselling and Psychotherapy Support Long-Term Mental Health
Both counselling and therapy have their place in supporting mental health. Whether you’re looking for immediate strategies to handle stress or seeking a deeper understanding of why anxiety or other challenges keep coming back, there’s a solution that fits your needs.
My work with clients involves both approaches. In some cases, we start with counselling techniques to help stabilize immediate concerns, then transition to therapy to address deeper issues. This flexible, holistic approach ensures you’re not just managing stress and anxiety but also healing at the root level.
Why Working with an Experienced Therapist Matters
Navigating stress, anxiety, and overwhelm isn’t something you should have to do alone. With years of experience using evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behaviour Therapy , Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy & Motivational Interviewing and psychodynamic therapy, I’ve helped millennials just like you feel more in control of their emotions and more empowered in their lives.
My approach is client-centred, meaning I tailor our work together based on your unique needs, challenges, and goals. I believe in creating a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your concerns and develop the tools you need to thrive.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, it’s time to get the support you deserve. Whether through counselling or deeper therapy, I’m here to help you on your journey to better mental health. Let’s work together to help you regain a sense of calm, balance, and control in your life. Book a free consultation today and discover how we can begin your journey to healing.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical or mental health advice. While I am a registered social worker, the content shared here is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or advice specific to your individual circumstances. I encourage you to consult with your own doctor or licensed mental health professional for personalized support and guidance.
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