What is the difference between Counselling & Therapy?
Often very little and the titles Counsellor/Therapist are often used interchangeably. The only differentiation that can be helpful is that Counselling is often used to describe work focused on one particular difficulty or issue which is agreed at the outset. The contract might therefore include a time limit, say 3 months or 12 sessions, will be sitting face to face and generally not more than once a week. Psychotherapy on the other hand can be up to 4 or 5 times each week, is often open ended and can include lying on a couch as opposed to sitting face to face. Most Counsellors and Psychotherapists will want to be sensitive to your individual needs and discuss all of these things with you at the beginning.
How will I know if a Counsellor or Psychotherapist is properly qualified to help me?
The best way is to appoach one of the reputable professional organisations who ensure and verify the training institutions to ensure that standards of professional training and practice are adequate and safe for you. The United Kingdon Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is one and their website is helpful and informative for anyone trying to find their way to some professional help.
Organisations such as UKCP, have a national register of practitioners who subscribe to their Code of Conduct and Ethics.
If you have any other questions or concerns you think we might be able to address do send an e-mail info@therapywestlondon.co.uk
