{"id":11087,"date":"2015-02-19T11:01:00","date_gmt":"2015-02-19T11:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/?p=11087"},"modified":"2023-03-07T16:28:03","modified_gmt":"2023-03-07T16:28:03","slug":"difference-between-psychotherapy-and-counselling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/difference-between-psychotherapy-and-counselling.htm","title":{"rendered":"What is the Difference Between Psychotherapy and Counselling?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"difference<\/a><\/strong>by Andrea M. Darcy<\/span><\/p>\n

A counsellor or a psychotherapist \u2013 which one do you need?<\/strong> It’s one of the most popular questions asked when people decide to seek therapy.<\/p>\n

*Note that this article pertains to the definitions of counselling and psychotherapy in the United Kingdom. If you are reading this article from outside of the UK refer to your country’s version of these two qualifications. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Counselling or psychotherapy?<\/h2>\n

The truth is that it’s rather a grey area<\/strong> when it comes to counselling and psychotherapy in the UK<\/a>. <\/strong>Whereas in some countries like the United States there is a definite difference between psychotherapy and counselling? In Britain there is a definite overlap in both training and practice.<\/p>\n

The professional accrediting bodies for therapists in the UK show how closely related these professions are.<\/strong> One is even called the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). The other professional body, the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)<\/a><\/span>, is welcoming of “psychotherapeutic counsellors” as members.<\/p>\n

Therapists themselves can have varying ideas on what the difference is, and there are therapists who are qualified as and see themselves as both. Some therapists with a psychotherapy degree might even choose to call themselves counsellors as they feel it’s a less intimidating term.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What is counselling?<\/h2>\n

Counselling is a term that can be used to describe any sort of talking therapy.<\/strong> And what is talk therapy? Sharing what is troubling you in a safe, supportive environment to a person who is trained to listen and respond in a way that helps you to understand yourself and others better. Talking therapies help you find more effective ways to live a satisfying life.<\/p>\n

\"difference<\/a>All forms of talk therapy are a sort of counselling. <\/strong>But the term is most often used to describe the talk therapies which focus on your behaviour patterns. These are the choices and actions you are presently taking that are causing your life to be as it is.<\/p>\n

Counselling might reference your past. But<\/strong> in general counselling’s focus is on helping you with what you are experiencing right now.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Counselling is often what is called ‘time-limited’<\/strong> or ‘short-term’. In other words, you decide with your therapist during the first meeting how many sessions you will work together, which can be anywhere from 12 to 24 weeks or more. Because it’s shorter term, counselling can be quite structured<\/strong>, with an agenda laid out in advance.<\/p>\n

What issues does counselling deal with?<\/h3>\n

The issues that counselling most often deals with are<\/strong> the things a client is currently feeling stressed by,<\/strong> whether that is the challenges they are facing on a daily basis at home or work or its a traumatic circumstance such as a breakup<\/a>, divorce<\/span><\/a>, or bereavement<\/span><\/a>. Counselling can also help with things like confidence issues<\/span><\/a> and addictions<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Counselling can be done not just as an individual but also as<\/strong> a couple, family<\/span><\/a>, or group.<\/p>\n

The different kinds of counselling in the UK<\/h3>\n

The forms of talk therapy that are usually referred to as ‘counselling’ in the UK include:<\/p>\n