Terminology
Psychotherapy
Is an intentional interpersonal relationship used by trained psychotherapists to aid a client in problems of living. It aims to increase the individual's sense of well-being and reduce their subjective sense of discomfort. Psychotherapists employ a range of techniques based on experiential relationship building, dialogue, communication and behavior change and that are designed to improve the mental health of a client or patient, or to improve group relationships (such as in a family). Psychotherapy may be performed by practitioners with a number of different qualifications, including psychologists, marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, counsellors, psychiatric nurses, and psychiatrists.
Psychotherapy/Counselling
Psychotherapy is commonly referred to as counselling. These terms are interchangeable and are both talking treatments. The distinction usually lies within the length and rigour of training.
Counselling psychology
Counselling psychology seeks to facilitate personal and interpersonal functioning across the lifespan with a focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns. Counsellors are primarily clinicians, using psychotherapy and other interventions in order to treat clients. Traditionally, counselling psychology has focused more on normal developmental issues and everyday stress rather than psychopathology, but this distinction has softened over time. Counselling psychologists are employed in a variety of settings, including universities, hospitals, schools, governmental organizations, businesses, private practice, and community mental health centers.
