Counseling and Psychotherapy

            “Am I going crazy?!”  This is a question we often hear from people who are referred to a psychologist for counseling or psychotherapy.  These persons are also afraid of what other people might think or say about them if they do consult a psychologist for such services.  This is unfortunate because there are many people who can benefit from these services, but who opt not to do so because of this fear. 

            In this post, I wish to explain what counseling and psychotherapy are, and where these services can be helpful. 

Counseling and psychotherapy are actually very similar.  Some people would use these terms interchangeably, but others will want to distinguish them.  One way of setting them apart is thinking of the person who is doing the work.  Essentially, counselors are trained to do counseling, and psychotherapists or psychologists are trained to do psychotherapy.  Another way that some people would distinguish the two is by the severity of problems that is in the focus of the intervention.  Counseling often deals with relatively straightforward problems of living (e.g., stress management, relationship problems, career choices, grief and loss, etc.) whereas psychotherapy might deal with clinical concerns and significant difficulties in functioning (e.g., clinical depression, excessive anxiety, phobias, psychological trauma, etc.). 

Counseling and psychotherapy are both interventions that largely employ talking.  It involves a professional relationship between one who seeks help and the service provider, similar to that of a patient and a doctor.  People who seek counseling and psychotherapy are referred to as “clients.” 

There are many ways of doing counseling and psychotherapy.  They can also be conducted with individuals, couples, families and groups.  Nevertheless, there are essential features that need to be present when these services are provided.  These basic features include the following: 

1.      As with any professional service, they need to follow basic ethical practices.  Some of these basic conventions include the assurance of client confidentiality and safety and that the nature of the relationship is strictly professional (i.e., they are not related in any context other than as psychologist-client).   

2.      The client is respected at all times, and their preferences are elicited and taken seriously. 

3.      The methods and strategies used are not harmful to the client or any other person, and are parallel to the goals of treatment.   

4.      The counselor or psychologist is both collaborative and supportive to the client at all times. 

            In both counseling and psychotherapy, clients are given the opportunity to express their thoughts, feelings and behaviors about their experiences.  In this process, they are empowered and supported by the therapist.  Through all these, counseling and psychotherapy often have multiple functions and benefits.  For one, they can elicit some insights about the client that promote a better way of handling personal matters.  For another, a client can learn more effective skills and habits in managing one’s emotions, endeavors, and relationships.  Yet another is the way they can facilitate the emotional journey of coming to terms with difficult or very stressful life circumstances, and enhance one’s sense of wellness.  Still another, they can promote a more realistic and positive sense of self.  Finally, counseling and psychotherapy can lead one to forge a clearer direction in one’s path of being. 

            Counseling and psychotherapy can really be quite helpful to just about anybody.  Would you consider these services for yourself?