How Does Psychotherapy Work?: Modern psychotherapy is a talking therapy that evolved from the school of thought developed by Freud, who practised psychoanalysis. Although many forms of counselling address deep-seated issues, delve into your past and consider the part that your subconscious plays in your life. Psychotherapy may be more invested in these concepts than some other forms of therapy or counselling.
There are many types of treatment that fall into the general category of psychotherapy. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and many more. Psychotherapists in the UK train for four to five years and are likely to be registered with the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy).
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?: Counselling and psychotherapy are often used interchangeably and both fall under the modality of ‘Talking Therapy’. Counselling is usually offered in therapy for a fixed number of sessions focusing on an issue in the present that is affecting you. Psychotherapy is usually an ongoing process that you undertake with your therapist, sometimes continuing on for years.
Counselling is normally much more structured, with less room to explore thoughts and avenues, whereas psychotherapy works at a deeper process level with clients and explores a person’s psychological history. However, in some cases, fully qualified therapists might choose to call themselves a psychotherapist, or vice-versa, refer to themselves as a counsellor. For newcomers, it can be confusing.
However, on your initial consultation with a therapist, they will advise what is the best form of therapy for you.
