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What is psychotherapy?
Many people question whether there is a difference
between counselling and psychotherapy. Others question what
psychotherapy is anyway. Certain models like Gestallt (which
looks at life patterns), Transactional analysis (looking at roles
and personalities), psychoanalysis (looking in real depth at the
unconscious) are respected as definite forms of psychotherapy.
Others models like Neuro-linguistic Programming and Hypnotherapy
are sometimes classes as psychotherapy, sometimes as separate
therapies. Analysis is usually considered to be psychoanalysis, a
form of psychotherapy.
Often people talk in terms of the theory being split into psychodynamic,
humanistic and behavioural.
Are there any differences between
Psychotherapy and Counselling?
As mentioned - there is no clear answer with many
people taking sides. I will therefore describe what the
difference is in MY practice. This is not saying that these
differences are the same elsewhere (before I get a flood of
emails!!). This is just how it is for ME.
Counselling - Client centred process in which the
client is given space to talk, encouraged to go over certain
issues that they bring up in more depth. Certain methods such as
reflection and summary are used to give the client chance to look
at what they have described from a new perspective. This often
enables clients to understand themselves better and begin to
realise WHY certain things have or are happening in their lives,
whether emotional or actual. The counsellor speaks very little
and gives the client plenty of space to offload and talk
themselves into self-knowledge. The environment is safe,
confidential and non judgemental. It is a process of self-discovery
for the client, with the counsellor along for the ride, not as a
tour guide, but as a little voice reminding the client where they
have chosen to go. This process is well suited for clients who
find it fairly easy to speak and may have been denied the chance
in the past.
Psychotherapy - far more directed by the counsellor.
Suited very much to the client who finds it hard to "open up"
and sincerely does not know where to start. The client is led to
discuss or talk about specific issues which the therapist feels
are possibly linked to the case. As the client becomes more able
and used to talking, the process may change in to a more client
centred approach. Alternatively the process may home in on those
areas shown as of critical importance by the analysis so far.
Methods such as topic association, hypno-analysis, regression and
self-assessment are used in my practice.
Pastoral / Spiritual / Psychic counselling - only used
where appropriate. Where the client asks for one of these then I
use the model most suited to their personal culture and belief
system. Even then I may use a fair amount of counselling and
psychotherapy as well.
Coping Skills Training - especially in cases of Stress
management, Addictions, False - Roles (copying others and
falling into negative roles or patterns), co-dependence or poor
lifestyle -- I use self-help coping skills training. This
involves looking at life patterns and working on them. The client
is encouraged to develop in career, social life, relationships,
health, exercise and spiritual matters and to gain a far more
holistically healthy life. Handout outs and "homework"
are frequently used. Practitioners using these methods frequently
call themselves "Life coaches", "Teaching
Therapists", "Motivators" or other types of "Consultant".
Note - many if not most therapists use combinations of
techniques and methods. It is important that the following are
carried out:
1. An Assessment to ascertain whether the therapist
can help you / have a good chance of helping you
2. That the therapist does not lead you to believe in
some sort of magic cure and that you realise that they are there
to help you change yourself.
3. That you have explained to you what is proposed
before the therapy commences so that you are giving informed
consent to the therapy.
4. That any person under 16 years has a parents
permission and signature.
5. That confidentiality is discussed and the
therapist's position is made clear.
6. That the therapist is registered, insured and
monitored.
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