The Difference Between Psychotherapy vs Counseling

People often mix up psychotherapy vs counseling. The two terms have similar meanings, but these mental health services offer some differences. So what are the differences? Which of the two services best suit your needs?

What is Counseling?

Counseling is a series of conversations between you and your counselor during talk therapy sessions. Counseling sessions deal with specific issues in your life. They also include taking steps to solve your problems.

One big difference between counseling and other types of therapy is counseling’s focus on today. You do not spend time dealing with your past.

Counselors do not give you advice. Instead, they help you find your way through your issues, finding your answers. But counselors do support you through your journey.

What is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy builds trust and healing between you and your therapist. Usually just called “therapy,” this type of mental health service also includes a series of one-on-one sessions.

Therapy usually takes place over a more extended period than counseling. In fact, many people never entirely leave therapy. They take breaks from it, often for years at a time. But when faced with ongoing concerns or issues, they return to their therapist for help.

Therapy doesn’t focus on the present problems you face. Instead, these sessions work on your patterns, repeated issues, and recurring feelings. This means you explore your past and also how it affects your present. You spend time understanding your history to have a better future.

Psychotherapy vs Counseling

How do you choose between psychotherapy vs counseling? Choosing between psychotherapy vs counseling is not important. More important is finding a therapy setting where you feel comfortable talking about your needs. You should also feel comfortable with your substance abuse counselor or therapist.

Choose counseling if you have one problem you want to solve. If you have a pattern of repeating issues or behaviors, choose psychotherapy. Counseling also provides best results if you need a sounding board, yet enjoy a satisfying daily life. Psychotherapy offers best results for working through past trauma or negative family patterns making you feel stuck or unhappy.

Frequently in the debate between psychotherapy vs counseling, people going through rehab for addiction engage in both psychotherapy and counseling. After addiction treatment, you have many needs. You must address the underlying causes of your addiction. You must also plan for your future and work toward your recovery goals.

Beaches Recovery Provides the Counseling and Other Therapies You Need for Lasting Recovery

Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida offers a variety of substance abuse treatment programs. These include:

• Detox at Tides Edge
• Primary and extended care
• Outpatient care, PHP, and intensive outpatient
• Residential drug rehab
• Dual diagnosis treatment
• Individual, group and family counseling services

Therapies at Beaches Recovery include CBT, DBT, EMDR, and trauma. Holistic treatment includes art, fitness, equine, music, bowling, hiking and rope course therapies. You may also gain benefit from mindfulness training, anger management, a 12-step approach and a non-12 step approach to aftercare.

If you or someone you love suffers from an addiction, call Beaches Recovery now at 866.605.0532 for help deciding the next step. Through Beaches Recovery’s therapy and counseling, you can rebuild your life. All it takes is a call to get the ball rolling.