Sex counselors deal with concerns similar to those a sex therapist addresses. A counselor advises clients about solutions to problems, but unless the counselor is also a therapist with specific training in cognitive/behavioral therapy or another theoretical approach to problem solving, the counselor may not be as effective or as thorough in solving complicated concerns. There is less of a distinction between a sex educator and a sex counselor than there is between a sex therapist and a sex counselor. In other words, a qualified sex therapist is usually more aware of the pieces necessary to fully solve any sexual puzzle.
Sex therapists can legitimately be called sex counselors too, but most sex counselors are not board certified sex therapists. Sex counselors generally address concerns that do not require intensive therapy or a complicated treatment plan. Sex therapists can address simple concerns, but they also are prepared to go into more depth about problems that require more training and knowledge to do so. For example, a Planned Parenthood counselor is well trained to address basic sexual and birth control issues, but they are not prepared to design and carry out an ongoing treatment plan. Sex therapists address anxiety, depression and other mood states to fully solve a given sexual problem.
