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Although many have tried, there is no formally agreed upon definition of the difference between counselling and psychotherapy amongst
practitioners. Even the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), of which I am a member, appear to interchange
the terms on their website.

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Here at Counselling & Psychotherapy in Chester however, I believe that there is a difference.

I perceive that counselling is a process whereby a skilled practitioner helps a client to develop awareness and skills for managing their day to day problems in a healthy way. Clients seeking counselling might want support in coming to terms with a specific event that has happened to them. Some examples might include, a bereavement, a sudden illness, a loss of a job, an accident, or a physical or sexual assault. In this kind of work, the ‘contract’ between the client and the counsellor is to explore how the client’s feelings, thoughts and behaviours may have been affected by that event. This is broadly achieved by helping the client develop a greater awareness of the impact that the event had on them, and by enhancing their existing strengths and resources to live with an increased sense of autonomy and freedom. Such work may involve a deeper exploration into the client’s attitudes and beliefs about themselves and others in order to better understand the context of the challenges they are facing as a result of experiencing that event. It will often involve some exploration of their experiences of similar events from their past too.

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Psychotherapy, or ‘therapy’, for short, is usually a longer piece of work. Here, the emphasis is on a broader and deeper exploration of the
client’s attitudes and beliefs so that they can recognise and change old, self-limiting patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. The aim of
therapy is to help clients understand themselves and their relationships (both past and present) so that they may live with greater self
awareness, creativity and spontaneity. It allows themselves the opportunity to live a life with a deeper sense of peace and freedom, and
also establishes the potential for more intimate relationships.

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As such, I believe it can be useful for many clients to work with practitioners who are qualified as both counsellors and psychotherapists
as they can offer valuable flexibility. Many people come to me with a specific issue they wish to explore through a counselling style process,
but then, having found the benefits of greater self awareness and autonomy, decide to explore deeper questions about their lives through
a process of psychotherapy.

As a new client, working with a dual qualified counsellor and psychotherapist, you don’t need to know whether you want a counselling
or psychotherapy service when we start working together. Instead, we can explore whatever it is you think or feel you need and develop the
most suitable course of action for you together as our time together progresses.