Although the terms “psychotherapist” and “counsellor” are sometimes used interchangeably. They have many similarities between them. However, they also have some significant differences.
Counselling is suggested for specific situations and disorders, such as sorrow or addiction, and can last anywhere from weeks to months.
Key Takeaways
- Counseling is a short-term process focused on addressing a specific issue or problem, while psychotherapy is a longer-term process focused on deeper psychological issues.
- Non-medical professionals conduct counseling, while licensed therapists conduct psychotherapy.
- Counseling and psychotherapy involve talking with a trained professional, but the intensity and scope of treatment differ.
Counselling vs Psychotherapy
Counselling places more emphasis on providing an immediate solution to current grievances, while psychotherapy involves an intensive search and investigation. Counselling focuses on less serious and temporary issues, while psychotherapy is a lengthy process. The latter is more profound than the former.
Counselling might assist you in overcoming particular habits or situations. Counselling normally lasts a few weeks to six months. Behaviour and action are the foundations of counselling.
Only talk therapy is used in counselling. Those who seek counselling might receive support, direction, and the confidence to confront their issues, as well as skills to better understand others.
Counselling is a non-medical form of advice for those in need.
Psychotherapy follows broad patterns because it is geared toward a larger and bigger vision. Psychotherapy entails a long-term commitment to treatment.
It might happen in spurts or even over a long period. Psychotherapy is a form of treatment that is focused on feelings and experiences.
Cognitive behavioural therapy, talk therapy, IQ and personality testing are only a few of the therapies and tests used in psychotherapy.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Counselling | Psychotherapy |
|---|---|---|
| Type of process | Secondary process | Primary process |
| Emphasizes on | Situations, problems occurring in the present. | Problems that are recurrent, chronic. |
| Period | Short time | Long time |
| Duration | Few weeks-6 months | Months- several years |
| Based on | Behaviour and action. | Experience and feeling. |
| Therapy included | Talk therapy | Cognitive behavioural therapy, talk therapy, testing of intelligence and personality. |
| Service they provide | Support, guidance, getting the courage to fight their problems, ways to understand others. | In personal growth development, more emphasis is given on the core issues such as internal feelings and thoughts. |
| Form | Advice | Medical treatment |
What is Counselling?
Counselling focuses on the conditions and problems that are currently occurring. Counselling can aid in the prevention of certain behaviours or circumstances.
Counselling is normally done for a limited amount of time, ranging from a few weeks to six months.
Counselling consists solely of talk therapy. Those who seek counselling can receive support, direction, confidence to face their challenges, and new ways to understand others.
Counselling is a non-medical form of advice given to those who require it on a casual basis.
Counselling is based on how people act and behave. Counselling is frequently thought of as an afterthought. “Advisor” is the technical term for “counsellor.” I
t entails two persons cooperating to solve an issue. It’s a term that’s applied to a variety of sorts of advice-giving.
What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is commonly regarded as the first step in the treatment process. Psychotherapy places a greater emphasis on problems that are recurrent and persistent.
Psychotherapy is directed at a larger and more comprehensive image and hence follows broad patterns.
Psychotherapy is a type of treatment that lasts for a long time. Psychotherapy is a form of treatment that is focused on personal experience and feelings.
Personal growth occurs for those who seek psychotherapy, with a greater focus on basic difficulties such as internal feelings and beliefs.
Psychotherapy is a medical treatment that improves mental function.
Many forms of therapies and testing are used in psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy, talk therapy, and IQ and personality assessment. It might be intermittent or even ongoing over a long period.
Main Differences Between Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Counselling is considered a secondary process. On the other hand, psychotherapy is considered a primary process.
- Counselling puts more emphasis on the situations and problems occurring in the present. On the other hand, psychotherapy puts more emphasis on those problems which are recurrent and also chronic.
- Counselling can help counter certain behaviours or specific situations. On the other hand, psychotherapy is oriented toward a wider and big picture and hence follows overall patterns.
- Counselling is done for a short period, ranging from a few weeks to a period of six months. On the other hand, psychotherapy involves treatment for a long period. It can be intermittent or even continuous over the years.
- Counselling is based on behaviour and action. On the other hand, psychotherapy is based on experience and feeling.
- Counselling only involves talk therapy. On the other hand, psychotherapy involves many types of therapies and testing, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, talk therapy, and testing of intelligence and personality.
- Those who seek counselling can get support, guidance, getting the courage to fight their problems, and ways to understand others. On the other hand, for those who seek psychotherapy, their personal growth happens. More emphasis is given to the core issues, such as internal feelings and thoughts.
- Counselling is a casual form of advising those who need it. It does not involve any medical treatment. On the other hand, psychotherapy involves medical treatment leading to better mental functioning.
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