What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?

Counselling and psychotherapy are both forms of talk therapy aimed at improving mental health, but they differ in focus, depth, and duration.

Counselling is typically short-term and focuses on specific issues or challenges, such as stress, relationship problems, or grief. It is more problem-oriented and provides practical advice and guidance to help individuals manage current situations. Counsellors often offer coping strategies and tools to deal with immediate difficulties. Sessions are usually structured around specific goals, and the relationship between the counsellor and the client is often more directive.

Psychotherapy, on the other hand, is generally long-term and delves deeper into underlying emotional and psychological patterns. It explores the root causes of emotional distress, often looking into past experiences, unconscious thoughts, and behavioral patterns. Psychotherapists aim to bring about profound personal insight and long-term emotional healing. The relationship between the therapist and the client is more collaborative, and the approach may involve exploring complex emotions, trauma, or deeper psychological issues.

In summary, counselling tends to focus on immediate, surface-level concerns with practical solutions, while psychotherapy works on deeper, more long-standing psychological issues, often leading to lasting change over a longer period.