Counselling or psychotherapy – is there a difference?
The range of therapies available these days can be quite bewildering. Let’s look first at the question of whether to choose counselling or psychotherapy. In fact, is there a difference? In short, no there isn’t. At least, there is no agreed definition either in law or among therapists themselves. We all use these terms in different ways!
My own view of the difference
Take me, for example. If you’re looking at my website, you may be seeking help with something about yourself or your life that is too difficult to understand or change on your own. So maybe it’s helpful to think abut the depth of change you are seeking.
I think of everything we do together as ‘counselling’. But I tend to regard as ‘psychotherapy’ the times when we’re working with more complex issues which run deeper in our minds, personalities and behaviour patterns. Often these are the ones that are harder to identify, understand and change for the better. That sometimes means working with you for longer than if you’re simply looking for support in deal with some immediate situation.
Sometimes, you might be come to see for support with something that is going on right now such as a relationship problem, grieving a loss or thoughts that bother you. But then you find yourself wanting to talk about patterns that repeat in your life which you don’t understand; or the effects of things that happened in your past. Possibly you start wondering about the deeper, underlying causes of how you feel, think and behave. ‘Counselling’ becomes ‘psychotherapy’. The work shifts back and forth between surface issues and these deeper issues. And the distinction becomes very unclear. Does this matter?
The difference between counselling and psychotherapy is not important
But not everyone agrees with how I use the terms ‘counselling’ and ‘psychotherapy’. And trying to understand the difference between them turns not to help much. Much more important is that you feel understood, supported and begin to see and feel the change you want.
So, you can treat the difference between counselling and psychotherapy as not so relevant. Indeed, when seeking a therapist, you should probably worry less about the label and spend more time looking at their training, experience and professional affiliation. And if that looks okay, talk to them or meet and see if it feels right for you.
What is the difference between coaching and therapy?
In contrast to counselling and psychotherapy, coaching tends to be more focussed on achieving life goals. Practically speaking, it helps you find focus and to clarify your goals. And then to identify the route-map and means to achieve those goals. On a psychological level, it can help you clear mental blocks, achieve confidence and self-belief, and so allow you to build momentum to move forward. Overall, it is can be seen as an exercise in empowerment.
The coach’s role is to have faith in you and your ability to find answers for yourself – possibly more faith than you have in yourself right now. And then to support and facilitate you in finding your own way forward.
Coaching tends to be somewhat more focussed on life issues or professional goals. It’s most useful when you want to kick-start a new chapter in your life or are not achieving what you want to. You could say this is more about doing than being.
If you have lost your way somewhat, coaching can help you re-shape the externals of you life. But it would be less likely to help you restructure what could be called personality or deep-set ways of thinking or relationship patterns.
A final point: coaching mostly isn’t designed to address mental health problems. You should ask your therapist or doctor for help and support with these.
Levels of distress
It may be helpful to see the difference between coaching and therapy through the lens of distress
Typically, people seeking coaching are not experiencing any great distress at their situation, if any at all. But they are seeking help with making changes in life that they are finding it hard to make on their own. In my experience, people seeking counselling are doing so because they are feeling a level of distress or unhappiness that they can’t live with any more. Or they are worried that that is where they are heading.
Can coaching be part of counselling or psychotherapy?
When providing counselling – or psychotherapy! – I find it natural to bring in elements of coaching from time to time. This might relate to many different issues such as coping with social anxiety, dating and romantic relationships. Or building confidence to move into new work roles. After all, I have provided coaching and mentoring in many of my past roles, as well as counselling.
But, mostly, that is not the focus of my work with you as a client. In terms of moving your life forwards, we will more likely work on the trickier psychological blocks, the ones that you find it harder to even see for yourself.
Conclusion
Writing this article makes me very aware that everything in it is open to challenge. For everything I have written, a coach or a counsellor might well say, but I do do those very things you say I don’t! And that’s all fine.
This article is designed to give you a little of the flavour of the difference between counselling and psychotherapy in my eyes. And of the difference between these and coaching. But also to let you know that no one agrees on any of these terms.
So, the best thing is to speak to the therapist you think maybe be able to help you. And check out with them that they can give you what you want!
More information
You can find out more about how I work here.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
Photo by Mindy Jacobs.