What is counseling and psychotherapy ?

Counseling is sometimes referred to as psychotherapy or therapy.  Generally the term psychotherapy is used when a practitioner has been trained at the masters level and holds a license to provide therapy and counselign services

Counseling is a helping process that takes place in an atmosphere of acceptance, respect, and trust. Counselors work with clients to help them understand themselves, their behaviors, feelings, and relationships. Clients usually come to counseling because they are feeling bad emotionally or struggling with an aspect of their lives. The purpose of counseling is to help clients identify their personal strengths and develop ways to feel better, make positive changes and enjoy life more fully.

The kinds of challenges counseling can help with:

• managing anxiety
• coping with and reducing stress
• adjusting to loss (death, relationships, job)
• increasing self-understanding
• making difficult decisions and clarifying choices
• becoming more assertive
• learning how to relax and take care of yourself more effectively
• resolution of personal issues
• working through relationship or family issues
• eating concerns
• drug/alcohol issues
• improving self-esteem
• career or academic choices
• improving communication (with parents, friends, family)
• coping with incidents of sexual assault, physical violence/or other trauma

Counseling or psychotherapy can be goal directed. A counselor will help you create goals that will allow you work through difficulties and feel better, moving toward more satisfying experiences- so you can get more out of life. Counseling is designed to help you heal and grow through and beyond the challenges that may face you.

Counseling or psychotherapy is different than coaching in that coaching is not designed to help you address an emotional or health condition. Click here to learn more about coaching.