Why would someone seek Psychotherapy/Counselling? We all encounter difficult or challenging situations and experiences in our lives. At certain times, in order to get relief from our distress, we may need more skill and understanding than our usual support networks can provide. At other times we may simply want an opportunity to review how to live a more balanced and meaningful life. How effective is Psychotherapy/Counselling? Extensive research has shown consistently that if you seek psychotherapy and counselling when faced with a difficult emotional or life problem that you will be better off than 80% of people who don't seek help - and that the benefits last. Research has also shown that, in general, the different approaches to therapy work equally well, regardless of the life problems involved.
What are the differences between Psychotherapy and Counselling? There is no consensus about this. Some say Psychotherapy is more in depth or longer term, others say there is no difference. In reality, it makes no difference to you as a client - so we use the terms interchangeably.
What are the differences between Psychotherapy/Counselling, Psychology and Psychiatry? In Australia, Psychotherapists and Counsellors are not regulated by a specific government body - anyone can use the titles. A psychotherapist/ counsellor may be a health professional such as a psychologist, social worker, psychiatrist or medical doctor who has undertaken further specialist training in psychotherapy and counselling. Other practitioners do not have a health profession background but have completed a training in psychotherapy and counselling. Some psychotherapy and counselling practitioners choose to belong to one of the many professional associations.