Choosing a therapy can be really tricky to navigate. Some people may have depression or anxiety and this can be dealt with over 6 sessions, if not less. It's usually attached to an event and it's a struggle moving forward or you could be the kind of person (like me) that's lived with mental health for years and you feel as though you are lost, you have no direction and that you are trapped in a hamster wheel. This is where I can help and the two open therapies are Counselling and Psychotherapy.
It can be difficult to know who or what support you need and there are so many treatments out there you can sometimes feel overwhelmed. I'm using this blog to explain the differences and the support that's available.
Counselling
Counselling is a powerful tool for a short period of time. This is an ideal treatment for depression and anxiety. It's focussed on what is causing you the concern and within weeks you are in a better position to move forward and continue as normal.
Counselling works with:
- Conscious processes and thoughts
- Counsellors have less in-depth training with a possible area of specialism. Some therapists specialise in their chosen field. I specialise in Trauma and PTSD recovery, but another therapist may specialise in bereavement/grief or relationships.
- Might be focussed on one particular difficulty which is caused by current circumstance - a focussed concern for the client. This therapy is ideal for isolated trauma.
- Here and now focus - the therapist doesn't help you with past trauma if it's not related or connected. Seeing a therapist for counselling is about dealing with a single event.
- Helps with more surface-type difficulties and current problems - this could be work, love, life or family life.
- It is a focussed therapy, and the emphasis is on current difficulties.
- Your Counsellor will be qualified as a therapist only in Counselling.
- Counselling is usually a short to mid-term process, usually 4-8 weeks depending on the client.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, which I love, is a combination of sooo many multiple therapies, created into a bespoke package for the client. The benefit of Psychotherapy is that if something doesn't work, the therapist has an entire toolbox of other methods that compliment each other and the client.
Psychotherapy works with:
- The conscious, subconscious and unconscious processes and thoughts. This therapy touches every level of the client's mind to find a process that helps improve their life.
- Psychotherapists have extensive training with personal development component and possible psychiatric placement with areas of specialism - usually trained in multiple therapies and uses a combination to help and support.
- Focussed on a number of difficulties originating from past and present life stories. There and then, here and now - this therapy is a life journey. It's ideal for people that don't know what's wrong, but "something is wrong". I know that's a bit basic, but that's the easiest way for me to explain it.
- Psychotherapy helps with current and past difficulties which require in-depth processing and psyche changes - understanding your past, learning who you are and your ideals is so important. From a young age, we have a free will inside of us which is often shaped to match those around us. This can often lead to mental health and confidence issues.
- Helps to uncover the foundation of difficulties with an effective emphasis - we work to find what limiting belief you are holding on to, what in your past is stopping you from moving forward.
- Uses specialist techniques as well as counselling skills -CBT, DBT, NLP, Hypnosis, Shadow Work, Life Coaching and many other treatments.
- Psychotherapy is usually a medium to long-term process. Depending on the client, it can be anywhere from 12 weeks to 52 weeks to help refocus your mind on what you truly want and need.
I hope this helps explain a little more. I actually feel a little smarter after writing this, and also a bit of a swell-head as I'm qualified and specialise in both therapies!
I do all this training because it's what has helped me personally to get through living with BPD - I love both, and I love combining them or using them separately.
If you'd like to know more about my treatments, book your FREE Discovery Call with me to discuss what's right for you, or email me at hello@woodlandhealing.co.uk
Blessed be,
J xx