What is counselling?
When to seek counselling?
How to choose a counsellor?
What is the value of the therapeutic relationship between client and counsellor?
What is involved in the counselling process?
What is the difference between Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Psychotherapists and Social Workers?
What is counselling?
Counselling is a developmental process where clients are assisted in dealing with various aspects of their life that may be causing them turmoil, discomfort, stress, worry, fear, anger, and/or confusion.
The counsellor provides the individual or group with guidance and encouragement in achieving goals and self-realization as well as challenge and inspiration in creatively managing and resolving practical, personal, and relationship issues.
A counsellor guides their client through a process of investigation to determine the underlying causes and potential barriers and identifies alternatives and possible solutions or courses of action. In summary, counselling is a systematic process that gives individuals an opportunity to explore, discover, and clarify ways of living more resourcefully, with a greater sense of well being.
When to seek counselling?
At times, for whatever reason, people are concerned with situations and/or relationships that have become disruptive in their life and are finding it difficult to continue through the normal passage of life without excess stress, dissatisfaction, or unhappiness. Counselling is the vehicle of change, prevention, or life enhancement. A skilled helper can facilitate the process of growth and adaptation to these challenges.
How to choose a counsellor?
Within the counselling profession there are many specialists, including mental health counsellors, marriage and family counsellors, school counsellors, and much more. Each specialty is based on specific therapeutic skills required by the clientele who would seek that specialty for assistance. It is recommended that clients work with counsellors that have training and experience in the specific area they are looking for assistance with.
Another factor to consider when looking for a counsellor is the schooling and education they received. It is important that the practicing counsellor/psychotherapist graduated from an accredited university and has a Master’s Degree in Counselling. One should also be aware of the many different associations that a counsellor/psychotherapist can belong to. The Canadian Counselling Association is a national association of professionally trained counsellors engaged in the helping profession. Members of this association go through a rigorous process to become a member and are granted the use of the designation CCC, Canadian Certified Counsellor.
However, one of the most important things to consider when seeking the aid of a counsellor is the comfort level you feel with the counsellor. Choose someone you are comfortable with. The therapeutic relationship formed with the counsellor/psychotherapist is one of the key factors to success in counselling.
What is the value of the therapeutic relationship between client and counsellor?
Research has shown that the quality of the relationship between the therapist and the client has a greater influence on client outcomes than the specific type of psychotherapy used by the therapist (this was first suggested by Saul Rosenzweig in 1936). Accordingly, most contemporary schools of psychotherapy focus on the healing power of the therapeutic relationship.
A literature review by M. J. Lambert (1992) estimated that 40% of client changes are due to extra-therapeutic influences, 30% are due to the quality of the therapeutic relationship, 15% are due to expectancy (placebo) effects, and 15% are due to specific techniques. Extra-therapeutic influences include client motivation and the severity of the problem.
What is involved in the counselling process?
1) Establishing rapport and relationship.
2) Assessing or defining of the presenting problem.
3) Identifying and setting goals.
4) Choosing and initiating interventions.
5) Planning and introducing termination and follow up or referral.
What is the difference between Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Psychotherapists and Social Workers?
Psychiatrists have medical qualifications and may also administer prescription medication. The primary training of a psychiatrist focuses on the biological aspects of mental health conditions, with some training in psychotherapy.
Psychologists are regulated health service providers, registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Psychologists carry a PhD., receive training in psychological assessment and can provide a diagnosis for their clients.
Counsellors/Psychotherapists have a Master’s degree in Counselling and specialize in providing their clients with guidance and encouragement in achieving goals and self-realization as well as challenge and inspiration in creatively managing and resolving practical, personal, and relationship issues. They do not diagnose, although they work with clients with diagnoses and discuss interventions and problem solving.
Social workers have specialized training in linking patients to community and institutional resources, in addition to elements of psychological assessment and psychotherapy.