Therapy is often explained as a kind of internal journey.
Perhaps you want to climb back out of pain or depression. Maybe you want to find a way to get 'un-stuck'. Or perhaps you'll delve into your life's patterns, searching for deeper meaning.
Whichever path you choose, I believe this journey should be steered by you, and taken safely at your pace.
Many people ask about the difference between these disciplines.
Basically: - psychiatry looks at the brain and mental illness - psychology looks at the mind and behaviour - counselling and psychotherapy take a holistic view including your mind, body, emotions, behaviours, relationships, family dynamics and spirituality.
Counselling usually centres on one issue, and is often shorter-term therapy. Often, several different counselling modalities are used.
Psychotherapy often works at a deeper level. It safely explores many areas of your life, examining how they interlink, with the aim of unlocking some important patterns, meanings and answers. By taking this richer view of your life, psychotherapy may involve longer-term therapy. Often, many different counselling modalities are used.
Psychology is based on a more medically-oriented model, and is described as 'the science of behaviour'. It also involves counselling, often using mainly one modality, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).
Whichever practitioner you choose, it's important to find someone with accredited training and qualifications, membership with a professional body, and someone you feel safe and comfortable with.
If you'd like to talk about how counselling and psychotherapy can help, contact me.
