Counselling vs. Psychotherapy

Counselling and psychotherapy are both therapeutic approaches that aim to help individuals improve their mental health, well-being and quality of life. While there can be some overlap between the two, there are also some key differences;

Focus: Counselling typically focuses on addressing specific problems or issues that can come up in someone’s life, such as relationship changes, grief, or stress management. Often these can be quite solution and goal focused. On the other hand, Psychotherapy tends to focus on deeper, more complex issues, such as long-standing emotional or behavioral patterns, and may involve exploring childhood experiences or trauma.

Duration: Counselling tends to be shorter-term, typically lasting for several sessions over a few weeks or months. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, can be longer-term and may involve ongoing sessions over the course of several months or years.

Approach: Counselling tends to be more solution-focused and practical, with the therapist offering advice and guidance on how to address specific problems or challenges. Psychotherapy tends to be more exploratory and introspective, with the therapist helping the individual to gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and make lasting changes.

Training: Both counsellors and psychotherapists may have similar training backgrounds, but clinician’s providing psychotherapy typically have more advanced training and qualifications in social work, psychotherapy, educational counselling or related fields. Not everyone that provides counselling is able to practice the “act of psychotherapy”; it is important to discuss this with your therapist if you are seeking psychotherapy.

Counseling and psychotherapy are both valuable therapeutic approaches that can help individuals improve their mental health and well-being. They each have their own main purpose and effectiveness depending on what you are seeking from external support. The main differences lie in their focus, duration, approach, and the level of training and qualifications required of the practitioner.