The feat's wording changes based on whether you're a sorcerer or a wizard.
Does this mean it's actually two feats? Or is it just one feat that is simply being contextual?
If it is the latter, can my sorcerer, who possesses sorcerer Counterspell, and who has invested heavily into the wizard multiclass archetype, counterspell like a sorcerer AND like a wizard? Or is she forced to counterspell only as a sorcerer, or take the feat twice to be able to do both?
(Source)
[Abjuration] [Sorcerer]
Requirements You have an unexpended spell slot you could use to cast the triggering spell.
Trigger A creature casts a spell that you have in your repertoire.
When a foe Casts a Spell you know and you can see its manifestations, you can use your own magic to disrupt it. You expend one of your spell slots to counter the triggering creature’s casting of a spell that you have in your repertoire. You lose your spell slot as if you had cast the triggering spell. You then attempt to counteract the triggering spell.
Special This feat has the trait corresponding to the tradition of spells you cast (arcane, divine, natural, or occult).
(Source)
[Abjuration] [Arcane] [Witch] [Wizard]
Trigger A creature Casts a Spell that you have prepared.
When a foe Casts a Spell and you can see its manifestations, you can use your own magic to disrupt it. You expend a prepared spell to counter the triggering creature’s casting of that same spell. You lose your spell slot as if you had cast the triggering spell. You then attempt to counteract the triggering spell.
It would probably help if you shared the text and pointed out the differences.
As a GM, I'd say take it once and you can do both versions. The different text versions are only necessary because one is a spontaneous caster and the other one is not. Wouldn't make much sense if the sorcerer-version said "you can counterspell a spell you have prepared".
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I mean, you could - the feats are even named differently on Archive of Nethys: Counterspell (Prepared) and Counterspell (Spontaneous).
Bigger issue is... Why would you ever want to take these feats in the first place. They are almost useless until you hit level 12 as a Wizard and get the Clever Counterspell.
If it came down to it, could you even take the feat twice? Feats don't typically allow that unless explicitly stated as being allowed.
It would probably help if you shared the text and pointed out the differences.
It sure would! I've edited the OP to include such.
I'd agree on these being two separate feats. They have different requirements, different triggers, different effects, and different traits (one has Sorcerer, other has Witch and Wizard -- guess no counterspell love for clerics, bards, or druids). The idea of naming them both Counterspell was probably iffy but you have to do something. Archive of Nethys's method is probably best if you're going to grab both spell lists for counterspelling.
I'm not so sure about that. Chances are that popular spells for PCs are also popular with the enemy. So there's a good chance the bad guy will try to use spells you will have prepared if you're a wizard. If you can Counterspell his 2- or 3-action Magic Missile / Flaming Sphere / Fireball / Lightning Bolt etc., using only a reaction on your part, that's a big win. He loses pretty much his whole turn, and your party doesn't suffer the damage or other bad effects of his spell.
You still use up your slot, and you don't automatically dispel. Instead, you have to succeed at the counteracting check vs the Spells DC.
Which sounds good until you realise NPC DCs are actually higher than PC values, so you have less than 50% chance if you use equal level slot.
Just to be clear, I don't think Counterspelling should succeed automatically. I just think it shouldn't be a feat, but rather, something you can always try and do.
So now we have a class feat that requires a skill feat, luck to set up, spend a daily resource and potentially another resource. Still leaving ~25% chance failure.
Counterspell is the prereq for Reflect Spell, so in that sense they're the same feat.
But since they have different effects (not just entry requirements/traits) then I'd say if somebody wanted both effects that'd be okay to take this "same/not same" feat twice (though I'd recommend against it).
I mean, you could - the feats are even named differently on Archive of Nethys: Counterspell (Prepared) and Counterspell (Spontaneous).
Bigger issue is... Why would you ever want to take these feats in the first place. They are almost useless until you hit level 12 as a Wizard and get the Clever Counterspell.
As others have said, you're likely to have some of the same spells prepared as who you're fighting, like Fireball which can be a big winner for the party when you counteract it. But even more noticeable, this feat (both versions) applies to Cantrips, which can be handy even at low levels!