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What's the Difference Between Counselling & Psychotherapy?

4/27/2012

4 Comments

 
I am often asked what the difference is between psychotherapy and counselling. While there is no consensus on their definitions in Australia, I will explain how I personally am using these words, and what they mean to my clients.

Counselling and psychotherapy can be seen as two approaches to therapeutic communication. Which approach you take does not need to be decided before therapy begins, as it will simply emerge naturally in response to your goals, the time you have, and our therapeutic relationship. 

Counselling usually occurs over a shorter term of several months. Alternatively, clients may come intermittently, such as every two weeks, or simply 'as needed'. This approach focuses on behavioural patterns, helps with emotional processing and decision making, and creates a deeper integration of life's events and challenges. 

Psychotherapy focuses on working with clients for a longer-term, and often clients come weekly. The therapeutic relationship therefore becomes stronger and more intimate, allowing for deeper work to take place. Psychotherapy is generally depth work that builds over time, offering a deeper awareness of emotional issues and personal patterns, and often getting to the foundation of the problem. 

My approach to the therapeutic relationship is the same in both cases, as are the services I provide. In reality, my clients experience the effects of both counselling and psychotherapy in their time with me, as I move quite seamlessly between them within a session. The primary difference is therefore the clients' personal therapeutic goals, and the time in which we have to meet them.

On my web site, I've had to use counselling and psychotherapy somewhat interchangeably, as there is no convention around the specific therapies I'm discussing. The most important thing to know is that in our time together we will simply be working towards your highest good, regardless of which approach we're adopting. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact me.

Read more about my approach to counselling & psychotherapy.
4 Comments
Melbourne Counsellors link
5/15/2012 07:46:12 am

Nice Post. The key difference between the two courses of therapeutic communication treatment lies in the recommended time required to see benefits. Counseling usually refers to a brief treatment that centers around behavior patterns. Psychotherapy focuses on working with clients for a longer-term and draws from insight into emotional problems and difficulties.

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John S link
7/19/2013 02:07:17 pm

I couldn't agree more...

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Relationship Counsellor Melbourne link
12/6/2012 09:51:21 am

Well explained.

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Janice link
7/6/2013 09:04:17 am

Excellent information on your blog, thank you for taking the time to share with us.

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    Ilana Laps

    I'm a psychotherapist, and I come across too many interesting ideas to not share them. I'm quite busy, so posts are likely to be irregular and random. Nevertheless, perhaps someone will find something of value here.

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