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How do you think counselling differs from other ways of helping?
23 Answers
I am studying counselling as part for my degree & I am interested to see how others perceive 'counselling' as a form of helping. So what do you think makes counselling different?
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This is uni essay which I have already written but before I submit I am just curious about peoples' pre-conceptions about counselling.
The title to work from (part 1) was simply as stated - 'what ways does counselling differ from other ways fo helping'. I think they are being vague on purpose, just to wind me up!
I personally am hoping to specialise in trauma counselling (rape & murder cases) & possibly bereavement.
The title to work from (part 1) was simply as stated - 'what ways does counselling differ from other ways fo helping'. I think they are being vague on purpose, just to wind me up!
I personally am hoping to specialise in trauma counselling (rape & murder cases) & possibly bereavement.
pitstop.........right.....got yer
My opinion? I have seen no studies, scientific or otherwise to suggest that councilling has anything to offer over the natural resources of the body ( don't ask me what I mean by that LOL)
In my opinion. counselling relies purely on anecdotal evidence which has little scientific value.
My opinion.
My opinion? I have seen no studies, scientific or otherwise to suggest that councilling has anything to offer over the natural resources of the body ( don't ask me what I mean by that LOL)
In my opinion. counselling relies purely on anecdotal evidence which has little scientific value.
My opinion.
sqad617 - I know what you mean about the body's natural resources ; ) I think a lot comes down to the individual & them wanting help, maybe the counselling aspect is just a psychosomatic element of healing & they actually are driving by themselves.
Mailmutt - I'd be interested in knowing if you actively sort that help, if it was suggested to you & what you felt that you gained out of it. Obviously do not say anything that makes you feel uncomfortable!!! I too have had counselling, which is what has driven me to trying to eventually offer it.
I think there is a lot of opposing views of counselling and thank you both for your enlightening insights!
Mailmutt - I'd be interested in knowing if you actively sort that help, if it was suggested to you & what you felt that you gained out of it. Obviously do not say anything that makes you feel uncomfortable!!! I too have had counselling, which is what has driven me to trying to eventually offer it.
I think there is a lot of opposing views of counselling and thank you both for your enlightening insights!
I have seen a psychologist and feel that all they do is help you get everything sorted out in your mind.
One example is that I was hallucinating and found it quite disturbing, but (I can't remember the exact phrases she used) she explained what causes hallucinations and that I shouldn't fear them. (Unless the are telling you to do bad things - I really don't think that the headless horseman was issuing orders).
Some people need to talk and this person is paid to listen.
One example is that I was hallucinating and found it quite disturbing, but (I can't remember the exact phrases she used) she explained what causes hallucinations and that I shouldn't fear them. (Unless the are telling you to do bad things - I really don't think that the headless horseman was issuing orders).
Some people need to talk and this person is paid to listen.
i went to two counselling sessions and never went back, the first session was bad enough nevermind going to the second session.
i just found it difficult to talk about my problems in front of a
psychologist, im a really private person, i deal with my problems by not talking to anyone about it, and try and push it back of my mind.
i just found it difficult to talk about my problems in front of a
psychologist, im a really private person, i deal with my problems by not talking to anyone about it, and try and push it back of my mind.
wolf 63 - Interesting! Are U & the headless horseman at one now?
What do you think makes a good counsellor apart from listening. Do you prefer active imput or the type that sits & says nothing (CBT v psychodynamic)?
How would you determine your 'relationship' with the counsellor?
This is seriously giving me food for thought!
What do you think makes a good counsellor apart from listening. Do you prefer active imput or the type that sits & says nothing (CBT v psychodynamic)?
How would you determine your 'relationship' with the counsellor?
This is seriously giving me food for thought!
Well I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this, simply because I don't have the time but a few things.
Years ago I was also depressed - at the time I had my Mum die, my two dogs die, my long time girlfriend leave me, and what remained of my family ignore me, all in the space of nine months. I ended up on Prozac for months.
The last time I was depressed I didn't want to go down the pill road, and, as said, my employers offer this as part of they're welfare considererations. I wouldn't have had it if I had to pay.
Comment made about self help is probably true, because only by actually voicing certain things do you get to put some things in perspective.
Years ago I was also depressed - at the time I had my Mum die, my two dogs die, my long time girlfriend leave me, and what remained of my family ignore me, all in the space of nine months. I ended up on Prozac for months.
The last time I was depressed I didn't want to go down the pill road, and, as said, my employers offer this as part of they're welfare considererations. I wouldn't have had it if I had to pay.
Comment made about self help is probably true, because only by actually voicing certain things do you get to put some things in perspective.
NO a psychologist & counsellor are 2 very different things!
A psychologist is trained to listen, and after that they give imput, they tend to be very forceful and impose their ideas of what they feel is right . They are trained in psychology, which takes it's impetus from old fuddy duddies such as Sigmund Freud!
A counsellor, has a very different way of treatment. They are hands on and try to build a working relationship - more give and take & between the two of you work towards what you feel is best, they even offer you homework to help you over coming your problems.
I am so sorry that you were not offered the latter, Obviously not knowing what you were seeing a psychologist for it is hard to say what you may have benefitted from. Needless to say a psychologist treats a patient, where as a counsellor treats a client.... already you can see how much more personal it is!
A psychologist is trained to listen, and after that they give imput, they tend to be very forceful and impose their ideas of what they feel is right . They are trained in psychology, which takes it's impetus from old fuddy duddies such as Sigmund Freud!
A counsellor, has a very different way of treatment. They are hands on and try to build a working relationship - more give and take & between the two of you work towards what you feel is best, they even offer you homework to help you over coming your problems.
I am so sorry that you were not offered the latter, Obviously not knowing what you were seeing a psychologist for it is hard to say what you may have benefitted from. Needless to say a psychologist treats a patient, where as a counsellor treats a client.... already you can see how much more personal it is!
It's an impossibly broad question - I think the leeway there would allow for specialisation more than generaisation. Of course there are general principles - but the application becomes tight and specific
I think you hit the nail when you said
try to build a working relationship (possibly trust is a more appropriate word)
psychologist treats a patient - white coat syndrome
counselling aims to discuss - while psychologists attempt to unearth
I did drug abuse and some child abuse counselling after my degree
for a couple of years - and with drugs really it was always a case of one crisis to the next - you can't build a lasting relationship - so you can't break the cycle - only disturb it for a while - and then watch it happen again
the professional view was don't get personally involved ... but that becomes the barrier - however "street" the counselor thinks they are - the reality is they go home at night.
in the drug abuse area my personal preference was for the community or youth club approach.
cool rules - and so the connection with someone is paramount. as is somewhere warm to goto
child abuse - I still don't like to look back ... I doubt counselling was the answer - I certainly don't feel that I contributed anything
I think you hit the nail when you said
try to build a working relationship (possibly trust is a more appropriate word)
psychologist treats a patient - white coat syndrome
counselling aims to discuss - while psychologists attempt to unearth
I did drug abuse and some child abuse counselling after my degree
for a couple of years - and with drugs really it was always a case of one crisis to the next - you can't build a lasting relationship - so you can't break the cycle - only disturb it for a while - and then watch it happen again
the professional view was don't get personally involved ... but that becomes the barrier - however "street" the counselor thinks they are - the reality is they go home at night.
in the drug abuse area my personal preference was for the community or youth club approach.
cool rules - and so the connection with someone is paramount. as is somewhere warm to goto
child abuse - I still don't like to look back ... I doubt counselling was the answer - I certainly don't feel that I contributed anything
ACtheTROLL - That's exactly what I've done, wriiten from the view as if I was taking on trauma counselling! It was way too vague otherwise!
You're right about the 'cred' of being a counsellor, how do you not get 'involved', if that's your view then counselling is not for you, it is a caring profession.
In any career, if you care enough about it you will always get involved. I have stuck my neck out & gone for trauma counselling because I feel I have enough empathy but am also 'hardened' enough to be able to stomach what I'll hear, sorry if my choice of words are inappropriate!
You're right about the 'cred' of being a counsellor, how do you not get 'involved', if that's your view then counselling is not for you, it is a caring profession.
In any career, if you care enough about it you will always get involved. I have stuck my neck out & gone for trauma counselling because I feel I have enough empathy but am also 'hardened' enough to be able to stomach what I'll hear, sorry if my choice of words are inappropriate!
To me the point of a councellor is that they are total strangers, so they are not personally involved in your problems and you can say anything you feel without upsetting them.
When I was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, I saw a councellor for severeral sessions. I could talk to her about my fear of dying. I could cry in front of her, ask her questions about how to cope and lots of other things. She listened to me which was very important. I could say all the dark things that were in my head.
I couldnt do this with my family because it upset them too much, so in front of them I put on a brave face and told them I was ok.
I found councelling very helpful because I cound vocalise my feeling to someone impartial.
My family were great, but too upset by operation and treatment I was having.
I would recommend councelling to others in similar situations.
When I was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, I saw a councellor for severeral sessions. I could talk to her about my fear of dying. I could cry in front of her, ask her questions about how to cope and lots of other things. She listened to me which was very important. I could say all the dark things that were in my head.
I couldnt do this with my family because it upset them too much, so in front of them I put on a brave face and told them I was ok.
I found councelling very helpful because I cound vocalise my feeling to someone impartial.
My family were great, but too upset by operation and treatment I was having.
I would recommend councelling to others in similar situations.
TY burbie, I hope all is going well for you right now & that you are doing good.
That is what I think counselling should be all about - someone to listen! I have found that through my studies that this is the one main objective to all would be counsellors.
The fear of dying/being ill/having cancer even plays on me so to suddenely be in that situtaion must be daunting, TY for sharing. The closeness of family/friends must be so hard, especially when you are looking for answers yourself. Because I lost my mum so tragically I have tried not to be drawn to bereavement counselling but it is still something I still am inclined to.
That is what I think counselling should be all about - someone to listen! I have found that through my studies that this is the one main objective to all would be counsellors.
The fear of dying/being ill/having cancer even plays on me so to suddenely be in that situtaion must be daunting, TY for sharing. The closeness of family/friends must be so hard, especially when you are looking for answers yourself. Because I lost my mum so tragically I have tried not to be drawn to bereavement counselling but it is still something I still am inclined to.
I hope you are right ... Hard - I don't know that it's hardness ... I think possibly it's acceptance
the kid stuff was terrible ... sometimes people are so broken you can't mend them ... and that's very hard to accept
you also have to accept that people will do what they did - otherwise it does become a vendetta.
the kid stuff was terrible ... sometimes people are so broken you can't mend them ... and that's very hard to accept
you also have to accept that people will do what they did - otherwise it does become a vendetta.
I see it partly as having a chance to get things off your chest and out in the open so they can be talked about and rationalised and stop having such a destructive effect.
It can also be good for validating some feelings and changing ones which are wrong or destructive eg for a woman, that rape was her fault or she was in some way to blame, the emotional manipulation in domestic abuse and child abuse.
I see a cognative therapist and she helps a lot in my focus, stopping my subconscious attempts to distract myself from what I don't want to think about but what I need to deal with to move on.
She also has some fantastic ways of giving you a visual idea of things like life balance and the make up of you emotionally.
They can help clear away distracting things to get to the real issues that people can't reach themselves let alone deal with.
It can also be good for validating some feelings and changing ones which are wrong or destructive eg for a woman, that rape was her fault or she was in some way to blame, the emotional manipulation in domestic abuse and child abuse.
I see a cognative therapist and she helps a lot in my focus, stopping my subconscious attempts to distract myself from what I don't want to think about but what I need to deal with to move on.
She also has some fantastic ways of giving you a visual idea of things like life balance and the make up of you emotionally.
They can help clear away distracting things to get to the real issues that people can't reach themselves let alone deal with.
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