If I had to pick one question that I am most commonly asked, it would be this: what is counselling and how is it different to the other therapy professions?
In Australia we have a lot of different mental health professions, often popping up in a wide variety of locales: psychologists, psychotherapists, mental health nurses, counsellors, and many more. Each has their own individual and varied training, accreditation and experience. To simplify things, I will only be exploring the differences between Psychology and Counselling today.

Counselling is a person-centered approach to mental health, where the skills of the counsellor revolve around listening to the patient and building personal strategies specific to their goals or issues. Counselling can help build boundaries, develop positive thinking, and strengthen interpersonal skills. Within the Australian framework, ‘counsellor’ is not a legally protected term, so ensure that your counsellor is accredited with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), or Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation Australia (PACFA) to ensure that you are receiving proper care.
Psychology follows a more medical model towards mental health, and their therapies are more designed to identify specific mental health concerns and then follow set approaches to these concerns. These matters may include more long-term mental health issues, and they can often work in tandem with other medical professionals. Psychologists are accredited through Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
Both approaches use evidence-based therapies that have been tested and studied for decades. Both styles of therapy are dependent on why you are seeking therapy, and the personality of your chosen therapist. Different approaches simply work for different people. Counsellors and Psychologists are equally held to a high standard of education, ethics and continuous professional development.
Choosing a therapist can be a daunting task, but hopefully this information can make things a little clearer. But remember, the best therapist will always be one that makes you feel safe, welcome and listened to.
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