Types of therapy
Therapies come in many forms. Three examples are drug therapies, exercise therapies (like post-operative physiotherapy) and dietary therapies, like the Type-2 diebetes reversal programme. Counselling is a talking therapy since it involves talking, one-on-one, with a trained therapist. Psychotherapy is essentially the same, ie a specific type of counselling that focuses on emotional issues that are sufficiently distressing to be affecting someone’s wellbeing.
What to expect in Hants Counselling sessions
There is no better introduction that this, from the BACP itself:
Counselling can take different forms depending on your needs and what type of therapy may be suitable.
Most therapy takes place in planned, regular sessions which last for around 50 minutes. How often you see your therapist and how many appointments you have will depend on your individual circumstances, and will be agreed between you and your therapist.
You might see a counsellor on your own, as a couple or family, or in a group with people who have similar issues. You might meet them face to face in their home, offices or clinic, or talk to them online or over the telephone.
During a session, your therapist may take you through specific exercises designed to help with your problem, or you might have more general discussions about how you’re feeling. What you talk about will vary depend on what you want help with and the therapist’s approach. It could include:
- your relationships
- your childhood
- your feelings, emotions or thoughts
- your behaviour
- past and present life events
- situations you find difficult
Your therapist will be impartial but understanding. They will listen to you without judgment and help you explore your thoughts and emotions. They may offer information, but they won’t tell you what you should think or do.
In the forthcoming series of articles Hants Counselling will explore aspects of this ‘talking’ therapy in more detail. The next feature article can be read here.