Psychological Counseling
Counseling is a discipline grounded in scientific methods, where the practitioner and client agree on the approach to collaboration based on the client’s issues, goals, and desires. The aim is to address problems and their consequences, rather than resolving the underlying cause of the problems. Counseling typically occurs over a shorter period, and the counselor, like the client, is involved in finding solutions and options for the client. The role of a counselor is to provide practical guidance, which is different from psychotherapy.
Characteristics of Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is also a scientific discipline based on researched concepts and theories of personality. Unlike counseling, psychotherapy aims not only to resolve problems and their consequences but also focuses on addressing and eliminating the root causes of issues, treating personality disorders and mental illnesses, and achieving lasting and effective personal change.
In comparison to counseling, therapy is a more structured and long-term form of psychological help. Its goal is different, marking a fundamental distinction between counseling and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy deals with increasing awareness of unconscious content and resolving psychological patterns, not just the specific problem or symptom, as is the case with counseling.
Although problems and their origins can overlap with both areas, it is advisable to consider a few questions when deciding between counseling or psychotherapy:
- What do I want?
- What is the scope of my problems?
- What are the consequences I am experiencing?
- How much time am I willing to dedicate to treatment?