One of the questions I often get asked is: “What is counselling or psychotherapy – isn’t that psychology?” It’s a good question. A good way to answer it is to start with some definitions.
What is counselling?
Counselling can mean different things in different contexts (for example, careers counselling). In the field of mental health, counselling refers to working with clients to help them better understand and address their emotional, psychological, relationship and life difficulties.
So what is psychotherapy – isn’t it the same as counselling?
While counselling and psychotherapy can overlap, psychotherapy places a greater emphasis on understanding and changing aspects of the self – patterns of thought and behaviour – that may be contributing to a person’s life problems. Psychotherapy is typically of a longer duration than counselling. The term “therapy” is a common synonym of psychotherapy.
So isn’t counselling/psychotherapy what psychiatrists and psychologists do?
Ok, this one needs a bit of explaining.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors. Their focus is on treating mental disorders through the medical paradigm of disease and diagnosis, with treatment predominantly involving psychopharmacology – medication. Psychiatrists generally have little specific training in counselling (there are exceptions), and although some may spend time listening to clients and helping them to understand and address their life problems, this is typically not the focus. And they charge a mint!
What about psychologists? Do they do counselling/psychotherapy?
Well, some do and some don’t.
Psychology is a broad scientific discipline that studies human mind and behaviour. Knowledge from this field informs the practice of counselling and psychotherapy, however, not all registered psychologists undertake substantial training in face-to- face counselling with clients. Some psychologists expand their practical training in counselling, and make counselling their life’s work.
So what about counsellors/psychotherapists who are not psychologists or psychiatrists?
Who are they?
Unlike psychology and psychiatry, counselling and psychotherapy are not regulated terms in Australia, which means that anyone can stick a sign on their door and proclaim themselves a counsellor. It’s not ethical or typical, but it’s not illegal – for now. Most counsellors/psychotherapists however, have undergone extensive training in the theory and practice of helping clients, and have registered with professional bodies that maintain standards of training and codes of conduct for the profession. Whilst for now, you cannot get a Medicare rebate for services from a counsellor/psychotherapist (who is not a registered psychologist or psychiatrist); their fees are generally lower.
So in short, when seeking counselling help from a mental health professional for emotional, psychological and life difficulties, it’s always a good idea to ask about their training and experience in counselling, and their registration with a professional body. Another question you could ask is what frameworks of counselling/psychotherapy they apply. And I’m thinking that’s a whole other article. But here’s a spoiler alert – there’s some good news at the end of that story. The framework used is nowhere near as important as the relationship a client has with their counsellor.