WHAT IS PSYCHOTHERAPY?

Psychotherapy is a way of addressing distress without the use of medication. This is long term work focusing on all that you are rather than isolated aspects of your personality or specific issues.

Much of our unhappiness is caused by our relationships with family, friends and people at work, the society around us and with ourselves. We have our own unique histories, coping strategies and beliefs all of which inform the way we are now. Psychotherapy offers the opportunity to become aware of these patterns of relating, most of which are unconscious, and through understanding comes the opportunity for change.

Stress is a signal that something is out of balance and exploring stress - whether it manifests as anxiety, depression, confusion, relationship problems or other tensions - through psychotherapy can help with sustainable, holistic change.


WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY?
In effect, nothing. It used to be that spending 2 years or more in therapy during training resulted in being called a psychotherapist and any less a counsellor. Now the terms have become synonymous. However, anyone can call themselves a therapist or counsellor and in a world of pop psychology it’s important that you make sure you know what you’re getting.

Whoever you chose to see ask if they have a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling. Ask if they’re a member of a professional membership group. Ask if they have a supervisor. Ask if they’ve been in psychotherapy themselves and so know what you might experience. And no matter how well qualified a therapist is, it’s important that you feel safe and respected.