WHAT IS COUNSELLING?

Counselling is something that happens between a client and counsellor.  It is a private and confidential meeting between both parties where the client feels able to explore any problems, issues or difficulties they are experiencing.  It is important that the client is willing to seek counselling rather than being 'forced' or 'made' to go. In other words it may be more productive that a client seeks counselling of their own volition rather than doing something they do not want to do.

Counselling sessions are usually for about an hour on a weekly basis.  However, this is not by any means always the case as many counsellors are flexible and in some cases will offer longer sessions and/or more frequently.

DO ALL COUNSELLORS HAVE THE SAME APPROACH?

There is a wealth of approaches to counselling and so not all counsellors have the same philosophy or approach.  If you want a comprehensive explanation of the vast majority of approaches the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) website is a good place to start.  If you want to view these please click here. 

I work from a Person-centred philosophy. Please go on to my web page 'Person-centred' which explains more about what Person-centred means.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY?

In my view, not a lot! Whether there is a difference between counselling and psychotherapy is a hotly debated issue.   Some practitioners use the terms interchangeably while others would make a distinction.  In a nutshell, there is no consensus as to what the distinction is.

One of the perceived differences that possibly exists between counselling and psychotherapy is that psychotherapy is perhaps seen to require far longer training than counselling.  However, in recent years there is much emphasis on counsellor training courses meeting specific standards, especially those standards set out by organisations such as the BACP.  Furthermore, counsellors are usually required to continue with training after they have qualified and to have their own personal supervision and counselling in order to maintain and enhance their competence.

Another distinction is perhaps that counselling has traditionally been seen as short-term whilst psychotherapy as long-term.   However, more recently there seems to be a move towards short-term or brief psychotherapy and some counsellors may work with their clients for many years.

Finally, another difference that is perhaps perceived between counselling and psychotherapy is that counselling has been seen to only be able to help with problems that the client can identify, whereas psychotherapy is perhaps more associated with deep underlying psychological disturbances.   However, in recent years, counsellors are much less confined and have moved into other areas where individuals with schizophrenia, for example, have benefited from counselling.

 WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COUNSELLING AND TALKING TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER?

Friends are a gift; a good friend is worth their weight in gold.  However, friends often have a vested interest in us and may want our lives to turn out how they see fit.  A friend may be no doubt supportive and want what they think is best for us.  However, a counsellor will help us explore what we want for ourselves.  A good counsellor will help us find out what it is we want for our own lives.  With a counsellor we are able work through a problem and maybe tell them things we might not want to tell friends or family. When we want to end counselling we don’t need to see our counsellor again if we choose, which is perhaps different to a friend or relative. In other words your counsellor is a completely different part of your life and not somebody you have to live with or see everyday. This can be a very liberating experience and one that can help us to discover who we are and what we want.