Counselling: More than meets the eye…

What is the difference between a counsellor and a psychologist?

Many times throughout my professional career, since becoming a counsellor – I have been asked this question.

Especially since the advent of the Medicare rebate for psychological services, I have been asked this question.

Before the rebate, this question was not asked of me and, the answer to this question DID NOT MATTER.

I have worked in private practice for more than 12 years with people to help them with their problems, issues or crises in their lives. And I continue to do so.

As someone who is regional, in a small community, I have done well to survive in private practice, despite the introduction and ongoing rebates that psychologists have received and the changing landscape of mental health services in Australia.

Many of my regional colleagues have gone out of business, or had to change careers, or offer other services – if they’ve been counsellors. The Medicare rebate has affected the incomes and careers of many counsellors due to the lack of numbers of people in regional towns and clients taking up counselling through a psychologist, instead of through a clinical or registered counsellor.

When working with my clients, if this question comes up, there are a number of genuine ways I try to attend to answer this question.

Firstly – how I am different.

I have trained in person-centred (or client-centred) counselling, so therefore the counselling I provide in my practice is all about you (the person) – if you come to see me.

In addition, I have studied a variety of other ways, for example; in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction), Existential psychotherapy and Gottman Couples Therapy, though this is not as important in your life as me providing you a good service. Also, of utmost importance to you is my responsibility to you to ‘do good’ for you.

I take pride in the provision of good service, and ensure I regularly give and receive feedback from my clients. I want to hear how I’m going, if I am working with a client. It’s important that you are getting the best possible care from me at a time where you are at your most vulnerable.

I will ask you about the way you would like to work, I don’t focus on what the government suggests I do with you, or what the evidence says, (though evidence can be important) – I look at what your needs and wants are.

I won’t try every trick in the book, instead, my counselling is very relationship driven. So it is based on the relationship I have with you, if you are my client.
Research suggests the counselling relationship – and how well you get along with your counsellor – is the most important ingredient to your success and a good outcome for counselling (Shean, 2003).

Some researchers suggest up to 69% of the outcome of counselling of any kind – psychological services, counselling, psychotherapy or psychiatry – is down to the relationship you have with the professional working with you (Shean, 2003).

What Shean (2003) also mentions is that cognitive therapy approaches are limited in their perspective of mind functioning. As well, Shean (2003) suggests other psychotherapeutic endeavours, other than cognitive therapy approaches, are important to consider if long-term changes are to be made within the client.

So, the biggest difference of how I would work with you and how I am different to a psychologist is; I work with well-researched methods, as well as our alliance, and our relationship, and combine that with a number of therapeutic approaches. So I work with you in a VERY human way.

Like Shean (2003) suggests, it can’t be just cognitive therapy, or CBT that is the approach used in any counselling, instead, it is best to be a combination of looking at wellness, mental health, psychological functioning and the relationship, as well as what works in therapy.

Genuineness, congruence, therapeutic alliance and empathy are essential for establishing any relationship, particularly a counselling relationship with a client – and this is attributed to up to 69% of the outcome for your counselling. And what works in counselling or psychotherapy is important if you need counselling. It’s important for you to know that I will care about you and what happens in your life.

If this sounds like you’d like a chat with me, feel free to contact me about your free 15 minute phone call, or free internet web-conferencing conversation, to discuss the possibilities of working together with me.

References
Shean, G. D. (2003). Is cognitive therapy consistent with what we know about emotions? The Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied, 137(2), 195-208.