What is psychotherapy and how does it differ from counselling?

Psychotherapy and counselling are similar in many ways and the two terms are often used interchangeably.  However, some important distinctions can be made between the two and are worth keeping in mind when choosing a therapist.  Counselling is generally a shorter process and will usually have a clear end point.  A counsellor will be mostly interested in what is happening in the present and will tend to address specific problems and the steps that can be taken to manage them.   Psychotherapy on the other hand, is usually long term or open-ended.  A psychotherapist will aim to address underlying issues and the recurring or ongoing difficulties that these can lead to.  As psychotherapy is about getting to the root of problems, it often involves looking at the past and the exploration of difficult thoughts and feelings.  This is a more turbulent, but also potentially life-changing process and it relies on a well developed relationship between therapist and client.

How long does psychotherapy take?

There are really no rules about the length of therapy.  Although psychotherapy is generally a long-term commitment, first impressions are important and you may have a good idea after one or two sessions as to whether or not this will be a relationship that can work for you.  For this reason it is a good idea and not at all uncommon to meet with a few therapists before you decide to stick with one.  There is also no obligation to stay in therapy if it stops being helpful to you, just as there is no obligation to finish at any point if it is continuing to be of use.  Once you find a therapist you like, the work could often continue for many months and potentially years.  There may be a phase initially when you start to feel better, but really it takes much longer for core issues to be examined properly, which at times can be a painful and challenging process but one that creates the opportunity for change to occur.

What is ‘integrative’ psychotherapy?

Integrative Psychotherapy brings together thoughts and ideas from multiple schools of psychotherapy.  This is done with the belief that all approaches to therapy have merit and that no one particular method will work for everybody.

What happens in a psychotherapy session?

The initial session may be slightly more formal, as you will be asked to provide some details about yourself and your reasons for seeking help.  It is also a chance for us to meet each other and to begin to think about how it would be to work together.  If you do then decide to go ahead with therapy, you will have a regular space every week to use as you wish.  There is no right or wrong way of approaching therapy and generally the things that need to be said will come out in one way or another.  It will be my job to listen to whatever it is that you want to express and together we will try to make some sense of things.