What is Counselling vs Psychotherapy?

Counselling and psychotherapy are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are actually different forms of therapy with distinct goals and approaches. While both are focused on helping individuals improve their mental health and well-being, there are some key differences between the two.

Counselling is a form of therapy that is typically focused on addressing specific problems or issues in a person's life. It is often a shorter-term process, lasting anywhere from weeks to months, and the focus is on developing strategies to manage symptoms and improve overall functioning. Counsellors may use a variety of techniques, such as various talk therapies, cognitive-behavioural therapy, or exposure therapies to help clients work through issues related to relationships, anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, grief, and more.

Psychotherapy, on the other hand, is a more in-depth form of therapy that is focused on helping individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their patterns of behaviour. It is often a longer-term process, lasting several months or even years, and the focus is on uncovering and addressing underlying issues that may be contributing to mental health issues, relationship problems, etc. Psychotherapists may use a variety of techniques, such as psychodynamic therapy or gestalt therapy, or sometimes somatic or art therapies to help clients explore their emotions, thoughts, and behaviours in a safe and supportive environment.

Counselling and psychotherapy are both modes of therapy, meaning that while someone may call themselves a counsellor or psychotherapist, the title doesn’t necessarily equal their qualification. For example, some may have social work, or even mental health nurse qualifications but have done further study to provide counselling or psychotherapy. Additionally not all psychologists who are clinically trained will provide counselling or psychotherapy, as they may be more focussed on assessment and diagnosis for complex or clinical mental health or neurodivergent concerns.

Another difference between counselling and psychotherapy is the focus of the therapy. Counselling tends to be more problem-focused and focused on developing coping strategies to manage symptoms, while psychotherapy tends to be more insight-oriented and focused on exploring underlying issues and patterns of behaviour.

It is important to note that while counselling and psychotherapy are different forms of therapy, they are not mutually exclusive. In fact, many therapists may use a combination of techniques from both approaches to provide the best possible care for their clients. For example, a person who is struggling with depression may benefit from both counselling to develop coping strategies and psychotherapy to explore underlying issues such as past trauma or family history, often the same therapist can provide the spectrum of support.

While counselling and psychotherapy are two different forms of therapy, they both play important roles in helping individuals improve their mental health and well-being and in the secondary effects, like relationships, work, or school achievements. Both approaches are effective, and the best approach will depend on the individual and their unique needs and goals.

Shani is a degree-qualified counsellor with a background in positive psychology and well-being, in particular positive parenting. She has worked extensively with young people, parents, and carers with addiction issues, disordered eating and body image, anxiety, stress management, lifestyle and relationship change, through schools, foster networks, not-for-profits, and private practice. Shani works online with people around Australia and in person in Adelaide. Click the button to talk to Shani.