There is no overall agreement about the difference between psychotherapy and counselling. Generally, as psychotherapists we have all engaged in our own psychotherapy and value it for what it brings to our lives – it is not just something for others. In both psychotherapy and counselling, you and the therapist work together collaboratively.
Layers of Delay by Peter Suchin
In psychotherapy this might go deep towards inner conflicts, confusions about what we desire or entrenched difficulties. Counselling may stay closer to the surface and be more solution focused. In my own training pathway, I started off with a counselling training and as my experience increased, I continued my training in psychoanalytically informed psychotherapy.
These methods can help by providing a confidential space to speak about thoughts and feelings that may worry or frighten you. It can help illuminate links between present experiences and past events. It can enable a deepening awareness of yourself and others and provide support at a time of crisis and change. It can also challenge repeating patterns of thought and behaviour and reveal hidden aspects that could impede your progress. Thoughts feelings, memories and dreams can all be explored with the therapist.
I will work with you at a pace and depth that suits you. The initial sessions will help establish what needs to be to be explored and illuminated. Ultimately the work is driven by a wish to make changes that can lead to a more fulfilled life and new understandings.
Cathy Jacobs Psychotherapy 