Counselling or Psychotherapy
I am often asked about the difference between Counselling & Psychotherapy and here I offer an explanation:-
Counselling
Counsellors have usually undergone a shorter training, often to Certificate or Diploma level, and trainings can be from 6 weeks to 2 years. Trainees may or may not have been required to undertake their own therapy as part of their training. Their training may or may not be accredited, so please use this as one of your decision points when searching for a therapist. They may charge less because of this. There will consequently be a limit to the depth to which a person with counsellor training alone can take you. This may be beneficial to some people. Counsellors generally undertake short term work with their clients.
Psychotherapists
Will have undergone a rigorously supervised training, usually over a minimum of 5 years, often much longer, leading to a Masters level degree. They will have been required to be in weekly therapy for the duration of their training – so they have done their own work as well as having had the experience of knowing what it is like to be in the client chair! They will be equipped to undertake depth work with their clients, helping to understand issues at an early developmental stage in our lives & to see how this may manifest in our personality. This will help clients to understand their core values, beliefs & identifications and the work can help to free people from some of these less helpful constraints. Psychotherapists will be able to offer longer term work to give space for the beneficial changes to occur with help, support & encouragement.