It can be confusing when you are looking for the right therapist as there are so many types and modalities but it is generally agreed that the person who can develop the most authentic and caring relationship with you will ultimately be of most benefit in your change process.
Counselling and Psychotherapy... what's the difference?
Simply put, counselling is about working with your therapist on your immediate issues in the short term, while psychotherapy is more focussed on using the relationship with your therapist to fundamentally change how you experience your world and so you naturally resolve the issues in your life over the longer term...
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy employs an interpersonal relationship to enable you to develop understanding about your self and to make changes in your life. It offers you a relationship to explore the problems of living. Through the relationship with your therapist, you can people learn to manage stress, depression, emotional problems, relationship problems and troublesome habits.
A psychotherapist may be a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional that has had further specialist training in psychotherapy. Increasingly there are a number of psychotherapists, like Margie, who have undertaken in depth training in psychotherapy and may be called 'psychotherapist', in their own right.
Many psychotherapists combine more than one methodology in their practice. You can ask them what they specialise in at your first consultation. The methodologies Margie uses include somatic therapy, attachment theory, neuro-psychology, self psychology and intersubjectivity plus all the wisdom gained over her lifetime...
Counselling
“Psychotherapy" and "Counselling" are terms that are often used interchangeably. Although there are similarities, there are some subtle differences as well.
Technically speaking, "counsellor" means "advisor". It involves two people working together to solve a problem. It is a term that is used in conjunction with many types of advice giving. For example, financial planning and spiritual guidance are both types of counselling. Just about anyone at all may claim to be a counsellor if they are in the role of giving advice. The term counselling may also at times be properly be used to refer to what occurs in a relationship with a psychotherapist.
In actual practice there may be quite a bit of overlap between counselling and psychotherapy. A therapist may provide counselling in specific situations and a counsellor may function in a psychotherapeutic manner.
Psychiatry
Psychiatry is the study of mental disorders and their diagnosis, management and prevention. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have specialised in psychiatry. They often combine a broad general caseload alongside an area of special expertise and research. They can prescribe medications and some psychiatrists have also been trained in the practice of psychotherapy.
Psychology
Psychology is the study of people: how they think, how they act, react and interact. Psychology is concerned with all aspects of behaviour and the thoughts, feelings and motivation underlying such behaviour.
Psychology is a discipline that is firstly concerned with the normal functioning of the mind and can explore areas such as learning, remembering and the normal psychological development of children. Psychologists deal in the way the mind works and motivation, and can specialise in various areas such as; mental health work and educational and occupational psychology.
While not medically qualified, psychologists often follow a medical model and only a small proportion of people who attain a psychology degree will go on to work clinically with patients. In Australia, their focus is generally on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) however; some clinical psychologists have also undertaken training in psychotherapy.
What is Somatic Psychotherapy?
Soma is the Greek word meaning "the living body". Somatic Psychotherapy is grounded in the belief that psyche and soma form a single holistic entity. Thought, emotion and bodily experience are understood to be inter-functioning aspects of the person's whole being.
Somatic psychotherapy can be used to facilitate exploration and expression, to develop self-awareness, self-regulation and a sense of vitality and aliveness. This approach can help deepen a sense of connection to oneself and others.
As well as working verbally in the relationship with the client, somatic psychotherapists are trained to engage directly with the client's dynamic bodily experience. This could include patterns of breathing, sensation and movement, body image, metaphor and sometimes through direct touch (when appropriate).
Where to from here?
Whether you are seeking therapy for depression, anxiety, trauma or a broken heart... it makes sense to find someone who is a 'good fit' for you.
Professional well-trained practitioners will display their education level and will normally belong to a professional association like The Australian Association of Somatic Psychotherapists with a commitment to a set of ethical guidelines. Click here to find out more about AASP
A good psychotherapist will answer all your questions and remember it's ok to 'shop around' until you find the right person for you. Contact Margie to discuss your specific situation and needs.
