What's the difference between the two? I'd like to further my education/ certification for breastfeeding support and don't know which of the two to choose? What are the pros and cons?

My two cents...

Becoming a lactation consultant (IBCLC) is a much more in-depth process than becoming a breastfeeding counselor. Huge difference in training, experience and credentials! I only refer my clients to an IBCLC, because if they have a problem that I as an experienced doula can't help them with, they really need the knowledge and education level of an IBCLC.

I agree with above. An IBCLC takes hours and hours of training and is the ONLY recognized certification lactation or breastfeeding help. There are many different organizations that you can be trained through that will make you a counselor or a support person, but an IBCLC is FAR more distinguished and requires a lot of commitment and reading as well as a formal exam.
I volunteer as a breastfeeding support mom, but I am nothing compared to an IBCLC. Can I offer advice and support to my clients after baby is born? Sure! But diagnosing a problem or knowing the ins and outs of all breastfeeding issues, I would refer out to the expert.

An IBCLC can take years to achieve. You have basically a bachelors degree in breastfeeding. There are also several hundred clinical hours along with reading and exam. You can train for breastfeeding support in various educational levels. Some programs require a 20 hour course, some require a 40 hour course, some less than 20 hours and/or strictly online. You can find courses of various costs ranging from free to several hundred or more.
I'm a CLC and took a 40 hour in class course. Re-certification every 3 years and I just completed that in March. (re-certification can be done at home through modules - took about 2 months to complete....one section was 18 ethics essays!) I'm trained to handle minor physical/emotional issues and to recognize serious ones. I refer out to IBCLC for serious issues.

IBCLC information:
FAQs for Exam Candidates

CLC Information: There is also a long exam for this certification.
http://www.healthychildren.cc/

There are breastfeeding educator courses through CAPPA, CBI, DONA, and many other organizations.

You can become IBCLC after being a BC and obtaining x amount of hours and passing the exams. You can also become IBCLC without being a CLC or CBC beforehand. I'm taking my IBCLC exam and 2013 after I have enough hours and I'm a breastfeeding counselor.

For me personally, I think there is benefit in becoming a CLC or CBC, so that I can offer that support either independently or in addition to my doula services. My area has only a few CLCs and a few IBCLCs, but the process for becoming an IBCLC is so rigorous that there's no way I could just jump right into that. I see being a CLC/CBC as a stepping stone (for me personally).

You might enjoy this blog post: Lactation Laura: I. B. C. huh?

I also like this video:

‪Insight‬‏ - YouTube

holisticIBCLC: What's in a name?

Another really fabulous article worth the read by everyone! the author too!

I have all the respect for IBCLC's and I think we need more of them because they are often overloaded and cannot see all the women at once. Where can and do those women get help? This is when my role as breastfeeding counselor comes in. If I cannot help, I refer out to IBCLC but in many cases I can help.

I do think that breastfeeding counselors are often undermined. I'm training with CBI and I feel that it's a lot more than a 2-3 day course.

Totally agree. Case in point. My 2nd grandaughter was born just over 2 weeks ago. I helped my DIL correct latch 2 days out of hospital. (didn't see her in the hospital...long story short...my DIL has whackjobs for parents so I waited until they were home)
Now, baby is getting all she needs but mom is in agony and has to hand express and feed my grandaughter by bottle. Baby has appointment tomorrow morning to confirm tongue tie for me. This problem was just brought to my attention last night. I've already contacted a local LLl leader I know (who just sat for the IBCLC) and she is wonderful and offered to see them for free if I cannot get this solved as she knows the financial situation. The help women need for breastfeeding is just not there whether it's IBCLC or CLC or Peer Counselor, etc...
An IBCLC came to see her as baby was being born and said she'd come back. Never did. You are right that IBCLC's are SO overloaded. I know the one at our military hospital is just swamped. Seems to me that they should start hiring CLC's to work under the IBCLC and they could accomplish a lot more for women who need help. If it's a problem the CLC cannot handle.... the IBCLC sees the difficult cases. I have never charged for my services separately as they were always included in my doula fees....and I help mom as long as she needs it. I have have always offered help to any women who may possibly need it client or not. I saw go for it!!! We need you!!

I asked this of a mentor I have, who is an IBCLC (among other things like a doula trainer, etc) and she said that unless your area has NO IBCLC, just go for a lesser certification. She feels the IBCLC requirements have gotten pretty significant since she got hers and that she probably wouldn't pursue it if she had it to do all over again at this time. In my city, we have 2, so I'm becoming an accredited BC to supplement their expertise. Oh, and the other IBCLC is a nursing professor. So both are VERY deep in the nursing/birth/breastfeeding world.