Counselling

Counselling, like psychotherapy, is also a form of talk therapy. Counselling psychology is a psychological specialty that encompasses research and applied work in several broad domains: counselling process and outcome; supervision and training; career development and counselling; and prevention and health. Some unifying themes among counselling psychologists include a focus on assets and strengths, person–environment interactions, educational and career development, brief interactions, and a focus on intact personalities.

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To see positive results, a person will usually need to understand the need for change and be willing to follow the treatment plan as the specialist advises. They will also need to find a suitable counsellor or therapist that they can trust.

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Differences Between Psychotherapy and Counselling.

There are more similarities between counselling and psychotherapy than there are differences.

The term “counselling” was first coined by Carl Rogers to differentiate a more skill-based professional approach to talk therapy in comparison to psychotherapy which at that time was practiced mainly by medical doctors. Thus, counselling is more grounded in the Rogerian approach that promotes a more collaborative counsellor-client stance, unlike psychotherapy which takes on a more authoritative therapeutic approach.

Counselling is effective for these issues;

Professional counsellors help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems which cause emotional turmoil; seek to improve communication and coping skills; strengthen self-esteem; and promote behaviour change and optimal mental health.

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Counselling is effective for these mental health issues:

Anxiety Disorders

Mood Disorders

Psychotic Disorders

Eating Disorders

Personality Disorders

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders
 

Types of Counselling Approaches

Depending on the approach used by the therapist, a wide range of techniques and strategies can be used. Almost all types of counselling involve developing a therapeutic relationship, communicating, and creating a dialogue, and working to overcome problematic thoughts or behaviours.

The choice of therapy type depends on the patient’s particular issues and circumstances and his or her preference. Counsellors may combine elements from different approaches to best meet the needs of the person receiving treatment. Some of the more popular approaches are:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) 

Psychodynamic or Psychoanalytic Therapy 

Person-cantered Therapy

Behavioural Counselling

Humanistic Counselling

Constructionist Counselling

Systemic Counselling

 

The Different Types of Counsellors

Just as the different types of counselling span a wide range, so do the different types of counsellors.

Below are some of the specialist fields. Counsellors all share the same desire to help people live happier and more fulfilling lives by overcoming challenges and moving past setbacks, whether they’re mental, social, or behavioural.

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Behavioural Disorder Counsellor

There are behavioural disorder counsellors who work to reduce negative behaviours and point patients toward positive behaviours. These negative behaviours could involve substance abuse, self-harm, gambling, or weight loss or gain, among many others.

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Family and Marriage Counsellor

Family and marriage counselling is invaluable to couples and families who need guidance to get through tough times. family and marriage counsellors help patients process their emotions, behaviours, and reactions in their relationships, whether between spouses, siblings, or even friends and co-workers.

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Mental health Counsellor.

Mental health counsellors work with clients to address specific issues affecting their mental well-being, such as depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem. This type of counsellor will also often collaborate with other mental health professionals including doctors and social workers and set clients up with community resources like support groups.

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School and Child Counsellor.

School and child counsellors help children and adolescents deal with emotional and mental issues so that they can develop in the healthiest ways possible. Since school is a big part of a child’s life, school counsellors are essential in this development and handle academic, personal, and social problems that children might face. Beyond childhood, school counsellors continue to play a role in career and college counselling.

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Conflict Resolution Counsellor.

These are specialists who help resolve disputes and ease stresses in relationships, leading to better communication and mutual respect. Conflict resolution counsellors also help mediate in situations where the stakeholders are unable to calmly discuss issues together.

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Grief and Loss Counsellor.

These are counsellors who can help people get over their losses and grief in a more resilient and healthy manner. Usually, those who undergo grief and loss counselling gain a better quality of life after the sessions.

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Substance Abuse (Addiction) Counsellor.

These are counsellors who specialises in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders and they often work with drug rehabilitation centres.

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Child Abuse Therapist.

These are counsellors who specialises in the treatment of children who has been abused.

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Trauma Counsellor.

These are counsellors who treats people who shows symptoms of trauma or who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). 

 

Therapy Sessions

Therapy may be conducted in an individual, family, couple, or group setting, and can help both children and adults. At 360 Wellness Hub, the first six sessions are typically held once a week or once every two weeks. The case will be reassessed to see if further sessions are necessary after every six sessions. In majority of the cases, no more than six sessions are needed.

Both patient and therapist need to be actively involved in psychotherapy. The trust and relationship between a person and his/her therapist are essential to working together effectively and benefiting from counselling.

Counselling can be short-term (a few sessions), dealing with immediate issues, or long-term (months or years), dealing with chronic and complex issues such as personality disorders or substance abuse issues that has comorbidity with other underlying psychiatric and psychological issues. The goals of treatment and arrangements for how often and how long to meet are planned jointly by the patient and therapist.

Confidentiality is a basic requirement of all talk therapy including counselling. Also, although patients share personal feelings and thoughts, intimate physical contact with a counsellor is never appropriate, acceptable, or useful.

 

Counselling and Adjunct Treatment

Counselling is often applied in combination with medication to treat mental health conditions. In some circumstances, medication may be clearly useful, and in others, psychotherapy and/or counselling may be the best option. For many people combined medication and/or psychotherapy and counselling treatment is better than either alone. Healthy lifestyle improvements, such as good nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep, can be important in supporting recovery and overall wellness.

 

How to Get the Most Out of Counselling

The efficacy of therapy can vary depending on a wide range of factors. The nature and severity of your problem will play a role, but there are also things you can do to get the most out of your sessions, including:

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Being honest with your counsellor: Don't try to hide problems or feelings. Your goal is to show up as your true self without trying to hide aspects of your personality that you might be afraid to reveal.

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Feeling your feelings: Don't try to hide negative or distressing emotions such as grief, anger, fear, or jealousy. Talking about these feelings within the context of therapy can help you understand them better.

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Being open to the process: Work on forming an open and genuine therapeutic alliance with your therapist. Some research suggests that therapy is most effective when you feel a connection with the mental health professional treating you.

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Attending your sessions: Life gets busy but try to stick to your treatment plan and scheduled appointments as best you can. 

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Doing the work: If your therapist assigns homework to work on outside of your sessions, make an effort to finish it before the next session.

 

Does Counselling in Malaysia Work?

Research shows that most people who receive counselling experience symptom relief and are better able to function in their lives. About 75 percent of people who enter psychotherapy or counselling show some benefit from it. Psychotherapy and counselling has been shown to improve emotions and behaviours and to be linked with positive changes in the brain and body. The benefits also include fewer sick days.