counselling/psychotherapy

[flix08]

my counsellor has suggested that i try psychotherapy...but what is the difference? also do people find it hard switching between counsellors? i cant stand the thought of it, does it ever feel the same?

thanks

[onceagain]

counselling comes under primary care and they feel that if problems are shared that they can help, if the issues are deeper then psychotherapy is a way of going into those thoughts and dealing with them looking at ways to turn it around and accept the past and move forwards... it could be CBT or psychoanalysis sessions but you will talk to someone and they will decide what type of therapy is most suitable for you... you will need to decide what you want to achieve CBT finds the thought process of why we act or don't act and psycho analysis is going back over the past... the very best of luck to you x:hugs:

[ElizabethJane]

Hello Flix. In psychotherapy part of your treatment will be about your realtionship with your therapist. This therapeutic relationship is called 'transference' and is very important if your therapy is to progress successfully. You will be encouraged to 'open up' and to use the therapeutic relationship to explore relationships that have gone wrong in the past, trauma and any other problem that you may have, You will probably become quite attached to your therapist but also may feel anger fear etc as your therapy progresses. The process of leaving therapy is something that you will be prepared for. Feelings of dependence and attatchment would have to be deal with in the therapy. I think that you are very fortunate to be offered psychotherapy on the NHS.

[flix08]

I am just scared about not finding the same comfort with a new therapist. Its gotten to a point where i feel like she hates me because she is suggesting for me to think about if i want to try somewhere else that i can go to more frequently...unfortunately i've been told not to try on the NHS due to the waiting list, so I've got so see what i can afford privately :(.

[nervy-paul]

Hi Flix, here is a link to the UK council for psychotherapy - it has loads of information on the therapists, what they do, what's involved and how to find the right one for you - hope you find it useful. :)

http://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/

[NoPoet]

There's a notable difference between counselling and psychotherapy. Counselling is basically for anyone who wants to talk about their problems and their feelings. It's good for providing support through difficult times. For example, a person who is experiencing anxiety due to an unpleasant situation in their life or who is distressed because of a bereavement might be better off seeking counselling.

Psychotherapy is more focused towards dealing with difficult problems which won't respond to counselling or for which counselling would not be appropriate. So a person suffering from generalised anxiety disorder or long-term emotional problems such as depression or deep-rooted distress would benefit more from psychotherapy.

It's common for people who see a doctor about mental or emotional distress that interfere with their quality of life to be referred on to a psychiatrist for evaluation, particularly if the patient or the doctor feels that the problems are deep-rooted or involve psychosis or suicidal thoughts.

A psychotherapist is simply a doctor who specialises in mental problems and disorders.