Counselling, Therapy, Mental Health, Positive Behaviour Support, and the NDIS: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve ever tried to figure out the difference between counselling, therapy, mental health, and positive behaviour support, you’re not alone. These terms pop up all the time—especially if you're navigating the NDIS—but they mean different things. And knowing what’s what can help you or someone you care about get the right kind of support.

First up: What is Mental Health?

Mental health is something we all have. It’s about how we think, feel, and act. It affects how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Good mental health doesn’t mean being happy all the time—it means having the tools to manage life’s ups and downs.

Sometimes our mental health needs extra support. And that’s where counselling, therapy, and other services come in.

What is Counselling?

Counselling usually helps with specific issues like grief, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, or life changes. A counsellor won’t diagnose you or offer medical advice. They’re there to listen, support, and help you explore your thoughts and feelings in a safe, non-judgmental space.

Counselling is great when you just need to talk it out with someone trained to help you make sense of what’s going on.

What is Therapy?

Therapy (often called psychotherapy) is similar to counselling but also can go a bit deeper. Therapists might be psychologists, social workers, cpunsellor, or mental health professionals who are trained to work with more complex challenges prolonged depression, trauma, or long-term anxiety.

Therapy often involves a longer journey and may include treatment plans and strategies to change unhelpful patterns in your thinking or behaviour.

If you or someone you love is living with a diagnosed mental health condition, therapy can be a vital part of long-term support.

What is Positive Behaviour Support?

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is different from counselling and therapy. It’s often (but not neccessarily) used by people with disabilities or complex trauma, including those on the autism spectrum or those with behaviours of concern. PBS isn’t about “fixing” people. It’s about understanding why certain behaviours happen and finding better ways to support the person so their needs are met in a respectful and positive way.

PBS looks at the big picture—what’s going on around the person, what triggers certain behaviours, and what skills or changes could make life easier and how the people around this person can support them. It’s practical, holistic, personalised, and focused on improving quality of life, not just reducing behaviours.

And Where Does the NDIS Fit In?

If you're an NDIS participant—or supporting someone who is—you’ve probably come across all of these terms. The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) funds different kinds of supports based on a person’s individual goals and needs.

For example:

• You might use NDIS funding for counselling to build emotional resilience.

• Or access therapy to manage mental health challenges.

• Or use positive behaviour support to create a plan that reduces challenging behaviours and builds independence.

• Tap into early intervention (before the age of 7) to help a young child thrive at home, in school, and beyond.

Each support has its role. And the good news is, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Support coordinators, plan managers, and providers can help guide you to the right fit.

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s talking things through in early intervention, counselling, going deeper with therapy, or building better routines with positive behaviour support, every type of help has its place. Mental health and disability is a journey, and the support you choose should fit your needs —or the needs of the person you care about.

And remember: asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a step toward strength.