Interviewing involves the gathering of information over a short period, usually one or two sessions. Counseling is a more intensive and personal process which requires a longer commitment. In spite of these differences, there is considerable overlap. An effective counselor will use both interviewing and counseling techniques as he helps his clients work through their issues.
When you meet with your client, go beyond listening to the content; listen to the whole person. Carefully observe non-verbal cues like gestures, facial expressions and changes in posture. Be aware of any cultural differences and hidden barriers underlying the conversation. The terms Counseling and Psychotherapy are often used interchangeably.
Though they have similar meanings with considerable overlap, there are some important distinctions between the two that are helpful to keep in mind when looking for a mental health care provider.
Counseling usually focuses on a specific problem and taking the steps to address or solve it. Problems are discussed in the present-tense, without too much attention on the role of past experiences. Instead, counselors guide clients to discover their own answers and support them through the actions they choose to take.
In Colorado, counselors can earn Licensed Professional Counselor LPC status by satisfying a number of educational, experience, and testing requirements over a period of years. Psychotherapy, like counseling, is based on a healing relationship between a health care provider and client. Psychotherapy, or therapy for short, also takes place over a series of meetings, though often it has a longer duration than counseling.
Some people participate in therapy off and on over several years. Instead of narrowing in on individual problems, psychotherapy considers overall patterns, chronic issues, and recurrent feelings.
There are some key differences between the providers, however. Guidance, support, and education to help people identify and find their own solutions to current problems. May include testing such as personality, intelligence , talk therapy, other therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy. When choosing a therapist, it's helpful to learn about the differences noted above, as well as the background of specific providers and the approaches they use.
Sometimes the choice will come down to personal preferences, access, or insurance coverage. The most important step, however, is to find a therapist you can trust. In fact, the level of trust a person has in their mental health care practitioner plays the greatest role in whether the therapy will be successful or not.
You may actually need to talk with a provider or visit for a few appointments before you know which type of therapy is best for you. For example, with some situations it can be difficult to know if it is a short term, a limited problem you are facing and thus, may fall under conditions best treated with counseling , or if instead there are events or situations in your past that are leading to the current problem.
Counseling may be a better option than psychotherapy if:. A psychotherapist may be a better option if:. Both counseling and psychotherapy are used in the treatment of depression , and the choice can depend on the severity of the depression, whether it is a new issue for you or rather an ongoing or recurrent problem and more. As far as the effectiveness of the two approaches, a study found that counseling was just as effective for the treatment of previously untreated mild to moderate depression diagnosed in primary care.
Another study, however, found that interpersonal psychotherapy was somewhat more beneficial than counseling in adolescents with depression, with respect to both symptoms, and overall functioning over the short-term.
People with chronic, severe depression might benefit most from psychotherapy, whereas people with mild to moderate depression may benefit most from developing a good relationship with a therapist based on mutual trust, and then talking with them about which approach would be most helpful. Whether you choose to see a counselor or a psychotherapist, your initial appointment will likely be more rewarding if you do a little homework ahead of time. Doing so will not only help you clarify why you are seeking professional help but will help the provider you see know whether she believes she will be able to help you or not.
Before your appointment, make a list of:. Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor's appointment. There are some reasons why you may wish to choose a counselor instead of a psychotherapist, or vice versa, but the most important step is getting started.
It can take some time to find a therapist who you fully trust, and you may need to visit a few providers before you find the right fit. Keep in mind that you are the consumer, and it's OK to shop around.
Personalities differ, and the best therapist for someone else may not be the right therapist for you. You are commenting using your Google account. You are commenting using your Twitter account.
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