What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?

These terms are often used interchangeably and both fall under the umbrella of ‘talk therapies’. The difference between the two is debated.

Counselling may involve short-term sessions for a specific challenge that you may be facing. Therapy may be open-ended or longer term with more in-depth exploration for varied and complex issues.

It is worthwhile to check with prospective counsellors and therapists what their approach is.

I have been trained in both approaches and work in collaboration with you to find the most suitable approach that works for you.

How do i know if therapy is working for me?

Each client’s experience in therapy will be different. You might find that you are feeling worse before feeling better. This is very natural as you start to address difficult material and feelings. However, some of the signs that therapy is working include:

• starting to feel better - this could be subtle shifts in your emotional wellbeing, your challenges or issues feeling more manageable, finding more joy in your daily life or feeling more settled in yourself and in relationships.

• feeling understood and heard by your therapist. You feel safe and can trust your therapist.

• developing greater self-awareness and an understanding of your patterns of thinking and behaviour.

• being able to sit with or tolerate more uncomfortable feelings and emotions.

• not being as hard on yourself as before and getting more comfortable with the ups and downs in life.