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Why therapy and who do I see?
Why therapy?
Life is a constant and difficult battle, and there are multiple times throughout our journey that we find ourselves in need of support, guidance, help or perhaps a mere sounding board. Events occur that derail us like losing a loved one, separation, divorce, a difficult job, a troublesome relationship, a hi-jacking, an incident of crime, bullying, abuse, an abortion, an argument with a close friend or family member, parental issues and more.
There is power and strength in reaching out for help. Why go through this alone when there are trained professionals who can help you deal with it or at least make sense of it? An outsider’s perspective can give you the tools to move beyond the issue and live your optimum self.
'We are lonely because we keep forgetting that while success impresses, awes and
generates envy, it is only failure, vulnerability
and the confession of madness and grief that
draw sympathy and connect us to others. ' - Art against despair (School of life)
As we walk life's journey and hit stumbling blocks, the type of therapy suited to our needs can be considered if the correct knowledge is made available to us. In order for the therapy process to be effective, we need to be seeking help in the right area and from the right person. The first therapist you choose may not be the right one. And that's ok. Move to another therapist until you find the one you resonate with. You will, without a doubt, take something valuable away from everyone you meet. The process can however be made simpler and more beneficial if you have a sound idea of the different types of therapies out there. Simply put, it is important that you make your decision a more educated one.
Psychologist vs Psychiatrist vs Counsellor vs Life Coach
The difference between a registered counsellor and psychologist basically boils down to their scope of practice and ethical code. They will be registered with different bodies and are trained in different areas.
A psychologist is a mental health professional who has a minimum of a masters degree in psychology, and is registered as a clinical, counselling or educational psychologist with the HPCSA. This will determine their area of expertise, scope of work and limitations. This also means that patients are able to claim back their sessions from medical aid. Generally speaking, a clinical psychologist is better trained to work with disorders such as depression and anxiety and a counselling psychologist works closely with everyday struggles and difficulties or general life problems such as stress, divorce and financial worry. South Africa also has other counselling bodies that acknowledge other fields of study and experience, although still in the field of psychology. A counsellor may be registered through the CCSA (Council for Counsellors SA) or ASCHP (Association for Supportive Counsellors and Holistic Practitioners)
A counsellor that is registered with the CCSA or ASCHP centers around holistic healing by focusing on all areas of the person’s life (mind and body, relationships, financial etc.). They evaluate general well-being and are therefore often referred to as wellness specialists or wellness counsellors. Since wellness counsellors work on the level of primary healthcare as first line of support, they are obliged to refer clients to psychologist, social workers and medical physicians when and where it may be needed. Clients cannot claim back from medical aid, which means their relevant fees are much lower than Psychologists and Psychiatrists.
Psychologist:
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You are looking for longer-term therapy (10 sessions +).
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You have a diagnosed disorder and want to receive therapy for it.
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You want to claim from your medical aid.
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You think your partner or a family member has a disorder and want them to receive counselling for it.
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You want counselling for yourself, family or relationships.
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You have feelings of suicide or are feeling extremely depressed.
If you answered yes to these statements, it may be best to seek an appointment from an HPCSA registered professional, such as a psychologist.
Counsellor:
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You are looking for counselling for yourself, regarding general life stress, and want a safe place to “vent”.
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You need counselling for your marriage, relationship, or family and want to focus on a few factors, such as finances, children or problems with your job or in-laws.
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You need general life coaching.
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You need trauma debriefing or counselling.
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You are able to spend anywhere between R100-R600 per session depending on the counsellor’s rates.
If you answered yes to the above, then booking a session with an ASCHP or CCSA counsellor may suit you better.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is medically trained and is able to diagnose and medicate a patient. They will usually refer to a counsellor or psychologist for therapy or counselling.
Do I need a counsellor or coach?
Not sure whether to see a psychologist/counsellor or a life coach? The main difference here is that a counsellor focuses more on the past and dealing with hurt and pain as a result of these circumstances; whereas, a coach focuses more on the present and the future, helping to coach you to where you want to be.
If you need to recover from a past trauma, explore past relationships and why they could be causing problems in current relationships, work through depressive thoughts or episodes, process a divorce or the loss of a loved one or overcome anxiety and anxious thoughts, then it may be best to see a counsellor or psychologist.
If it is your goal or aim to set, clarify and achieve personal and professional goals, create business plans, improve skills (anger management, stress management, conflict resolution, communication etc.), achieve a better balance in your life, grow your business and improve yourself overall, then a coach may be the better choice.
Take the first step!
It is important to identify where you are on your journey in order to best determine the help you may need. Maybe you even need direction and guidance in identifying where you are in your journey. Every conversation will have a healing power and lead you to your final destination: HAPPINESS and a fulfilled life. Take the first step, the rest will follow…
References: https://www.connectablelife.com/blog/counsellor-vs-coach-vs-psychologist
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