Counselling therapist vs CBT therapist – what's the difference?
The titles are often used interchangeably in marketing – but in practice they differ in training requirements, scope of work and what you're allowed to do. Here's the clear distinction.
Psyklinisk editorial team
Clinicians and CBT educators
Counselling therapist, CBT therapist, psychotherapist, coach: the market is full of titles and it's not easy to know what sets them apart. The short version: counselling therapist and CBT therapist are unprotected titles, whereas psychotherapist and psychologist, for example, are protected. Here is an honest look at the two closest professions: counselling therapist and CBT therapist.
Protected and unprotected titles
Mental healthcare includes several protected licensed professions in Sweden, including psychologist, psychotherapist, healthcare counsellor (hälso- och sjukvårdskurator) and physician. Psychiatry is a regulated medical specialty, not a separate licensed profession. Counselling therapist, CBT therapist, coach and therapist are not protected titles. Check the training, experience and any professional licence behind the title. An unprotected title does not remove patient-safety responsibilities.
What is a counselling therapist?
Counselling therapist is used by people trained to work supportively with people through conversation – often grounded in CBT, motivational interviewing (MI) or an integrative approach. These courses typically run for 1–2 years and cover conversational methodology, basic psychology, ethics and practical placements. A counselling therapist provides supportive conversations, crisis contact, coaching and advice, but does not independently treat diagnosed psychiatric conditions.
- Areas of work: school health services, HR/occupational health, church, social work, private practice.
- Typical client group: people in life crises, relationship problems, work-related stress, grief.
- The title confers no particular authority to diagnose or treat. Duties must match competence and the service’s responsibilities. Without a licence, the protected title psychotherapist may not be used.
What is a CBT therapist?
CBT therapist is, in practice, used by people who hold a foundation training in psychotherapy (Step 1) with a CBT orientation, built on top of a caring/helping base profession. The course is at university level (45 credits), takes 1.5 years part-time, and includes theoretical foundations, clinical skills training and their own client cases under supervision.
- Areas of work: primary care, psychiatry, occupational health, private practice under supervision.
- Typical patient group: anxiety, depression, OCD, sleep problems, substance use, PTSD.
- Permitted to: work psychotherapeutically with CBT methods under the supervision of a licensed psychotherapist.
Comparison table
Training length
Counselling therapist: 1–2 years
Training length
CBT therapist: Step 1 = 1.5 years
Client work
Counselling: supportive
Client work
CBT: treating
How this affects pay
There is no single salary for the unprotected titles counselling therapist and CBT therapist. Base profession, duties, employer, sector and experience determine pay. Compare current statistics for the actual role rather than assuming a course guarantees a salary. In private practice, session fees and turnover are not take-home pay after costs and tax.
Which suits you as a student?
Choose counselling therapist if...
- You want to work with supportive conversations, coaching or pastoral care.
- You're aiming for school health services, HR or organisations.
- You don't have (or plan to get) a healthcare profession as a base.
- You want a shorter course that gives you a clear professional role straight away.
Choose Step 1 if...
- You want to be able to treat mental health problems.
- You're aiming for licensure as a psychotherapist eventually (via Step 2).
- You have a caring/helping base profession.
- You want to work in healthcare or eventually run your own clinical practice.
Can you move from counselling therapist to CBT therapist later?
Yes. Many people start with a counselling therapist course, work for a few years, then complete a caring/helping base profession (e.g. a social work degree at a university or university college) and go on to Step 1. This is a perfectly viable route, but expect the total study time to be longer than if you start with the base profession directly.
Frequently asked questions
› Can a counselling therapist call themselves a therapist?
Yes. Therapist, counselling therapist and CBT therapist are unprotected titles in Sweden. Psychotherapist, psychologist, healthcare counsellor and physician are protected licensed professions. The title therapist alone confers no licence or particular clinical authority; check the person’s actual training and competence.
› Can a counselling therapist work in healthcare?
Yes, but in supportive roles – for example, supportive conversations in primary care, school health services or disability support services. Care for diagnosed psychiatric conditions is provided by a psychologist, CBT therapist or licensed psychotherapist.
› Which qualification has more value in the job market?
It depends on what you want to do. CBT therapist (Step 1) has broader use in the public sector. Counselling therapist suits HR, school health services and running your own counselling practice better.
Counselling therapist training
A shorter course for those who want to work in supportive conversations, school health services or coaching.
Step 1 CBT training
Authorised by sfKBT. For those aiming to work as a CBT therapist and eventually gain a licence.
This article was compiled by Psyklinisk's editorial team for information and educational purposes and does not replace medical or psychological assessment, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a doctor, psychologist or other licensed healthcare professional about your own concerns.
