More about Psychotherapy, Body Psychotherapy and Counselling
What is the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy?
Counselling sessions are normally made up of 12-16 meetings between you and your counsellor.
Most problems can be helped through seeing a counsellor. This includes issues you face surrounding anxiety, stress, depression, bereavement, work, finance, family and/or relationship difficulties, for example, if you are going through a separation or divorce. Counselling can also provide you with support with other issues such as adjusting to a new culture, job, dealing with dilemmas, making difficult decisions or choices. It is also useful for major life changes such as depression, this can be experienced after giving birth, which is commonly known as pre-natal depression or when confronted with change that is not welcomed or planned.
The role of the counsellor is to offer support and listen and respond to you in a non-judgmental way. A counsellor will respect your values, choices and lifestyle. Counselling can help you in making important decisions, choices or changes that are right for you.
Psychotherapy is a long term therapy, clients can see their psychotherapist from a few months to a number of years. Psychotherapy benefits you when you have deep rooted problems that have either built up over a number of years or surface as repetitive patterns of behaviour which are being experienced as self destructive. It is helpful when people find they are in fixed relationship patterns that are destructive or make them unhappy. It is often recommended for with more complex problems such as those who suffer from Personality Disorders or ongoing traumatic experiences in their lives. Psychotherapy can be challenging, however, after a period of time it can help you understand your feelings, thoughts and actions more clearly.
How can Counselling or Psychotherapy help you?
There are various reasons it can help you, briefly here are some of the benefits it offers:
•Time and space for self development
•Improvement in relationships, with yourself and others
•Relief during times of stress and anxiety
•Emotional and practical support with trauma
•Support for the bereaved
•An insight into the factors that contribute to depression
•Awareness of the psychological factors that may contribute to illnesses
Psychotherapy and Counselling are talking therapies which help you to become more aware of the way you experience yourself with another person. The relationship you build with your therapist and what comes up in your therapy helps you understand repetitive themes and difficulties that come up in your everyday life or in your personal or professional relationships.
People who seek psychotherapy or counselling are often depressed, tired or feel 'out of control', they may be unable to cope with relationships, or even find daily tasks difficult. Trying to tackle these symptoms alone can be difficult. We all know that it is often hard to see your own life clearly and objectively, you may build into your life habits to deflect from reality or unsettling feelings, for example using drugs and alcohol can offer a soft focus to life’s stark reality.
Psychotherapy and counselling can provide you with the space to explore your life story and the imprint it has on your present existence.
Psychotherapy or Counselling, which is best for you?
The first step is to arrange a consultation, it will give you the opportunity to talk about yourself and discuss and explore what type of therapy could be best for you. Normally short-term counselling is recommended for issues where you wish to focus on a particular problem. Psychotherapy is recommended if you would like to explore deep rooted problems that concern you and you have accepted that you require a longer period of time to do this.
What is Body Psychotherapy and how does it differ?
Body Psychotherapy pays particular attention to the way you body is involved in your psychological life. The language of the body often reveals powerful insights to the problems and dilemmas we experience in life. Body Psychotherapy can help you express your psychological, physical, emotional and intellectual response to the situations you find yourself in, this is not only identified in what comes up for you in the therapy room but in your life in general. Body Psychotherapy is an integrative approach to working with psychological problems that engages the body, mind, heart and soul of a person. It often uses recognised techniques such as breath work, movement, biodynamic massage and methods that are similar to Mindfulness.
