Psychotherapy: What is Psychotherapy & how can it help?

There are many points of view about the differences between psychotherapy and counselling. I mainly use the term ‘person-centred counselling’, but I could just as easily have used ‘person-centred psychotherapy’. Carl Rogers, who formulated the person-centred approach, did not distinguish between counselling and psychotherapy as the difference is very difficult to define with any real precision.

At one time counselling was thought of as short term therapy, and psychotherapy as long term. However some people have a brief series of psychotherapy, and counsellors often work with clients for many sessions.

Another distinction is that counselling is believed to be concerned with identifiable problems, and psychotherapy with more profound psychological disturbance. However, both Counsellors and Psychotherapists work with people at various stages of personal experience.

It is also thought by some that Counsellors and Psychotherapists have different training requirements. This is partly the case, and in my experience there is a significantly more emphasis on psychological disturbance when training as a Psychotherapist.

The use of the terms is often determined by the work environment, rather than by any real difference between the two. What is most important is that person-centred relationship with a client requires a deepest commitment to understand the unique individuality of the person: this holds true whether regardless of what we do.

As a person-centred Counsellor and Psychotherapist I offer both Counselling and Psychotherapy and use the terms interchangably. I offer the opportunity for people to explore difficult feelings, including those of depression, loss, anxiety and feeling overwhelmed, in a safe and supportive space. If you have any more questions please feel free to get in contact with me.