RIONA MARIE D.

MAGBUTAY MAED-EM
(MA028 EM 209)
REACTION MOD 1 UNIT 2
4.1 Differences between Counseling and Psychotherapy

Counselling is different in that it is not psychotherapy at all. Counselling, as the name

implies has a focus directed more outward from the therapist, in the sense that counsellers might
see aspects of their role as advising, counselling (giving counsel) and generally life-coaching
(emotionally and socially educational).

Psychotherapy is quite various in that there are many schools of psychotherapy, but the
‘psycho’ part - which distinguishes it from an even greater number of ‘therapies’ of all sorts -
usually signals that way back, or not so way back, is some theoretical influence of Freud and the
psychoanalytic school. If it is ‘psychoanalytic psychotherapy’ the influence will obviously be
stronger. Psychotherapy (and psychoanalysis) are the ‘talking cures’ par excellence, but the title
is misleading if you think that it is the therapist that does the talking. Although counsellors listen
to their clients, as must all clinicians, I would say that listening in a particular way, is the key
activity of the psychotherapist, and that ‘particular way’ is not necessarily the same as in
counselling.

Listening in psychotherapy is an active process, because the therapist is attending on

various levels, not just to the manifest subject matter, but to the underlying logic of her client’s
position, both conscious, and usually unconscious. The experience of ‘being understood’ is the
therapeutic driver in this scenario, since if one feels both understood and listened to still, then
one may feel that the therapist both sees us, and does not reject us, which provides the
confidence to continue exploring our issues without fear.

In this situation the therapist speaks not to give good advice, but to demonstrate that she
is indeed listening, and does indeed understand both what is consciously intended and if possible,
what lies just beneath the intention. Speaking in this way may allow the client to continue the
conversation reassured that the therapist is not the ‘fantasised’ container of the client’s own
disapproving conscience. It is not really counselling that is the ‘different’ experience here;
counselling is more in the manner of other semi-educational and advisory relationships, and that
is why many people might find it more familiar and possibly less threatening.

Psychotherapy is the more ‘different’ experience, and therefore can be felt at times to be
uncomfortable, sometimes taking perhaps more commitment to pursue.