What is counselling?

Written by Emily Whitton
Emily Whitton
Counselling Directory Content Team

The NHS defines counselling as a "talking therapy that involves a trained therapist listening to you and helping you find ways to deal with emotional issues."


What is counselling and why is it important?

Counselling, or 'therapy' as it is commonly known, falls under the umbrella term ‘talking therapies’ and allows people to discuss their problems and any difficult feelings they encounter in a safe, confidential environment. The term can mean different things to different people, but in general, it is a process people seek when they want to change something in their lives, or simply explore their thoughts and feelings in more depth.

A counsellor, or therapist, is not there to sit you down and tell you what to do. Instead, they will encourage you to talk about what's bothering you in order to uncover any root causes and identify your specific ways of thinking. They may then look to create a plan of action to either help you reconcile your issues, or help you to find ways of coping.


What is the difference between counselling and therapy?

The terms 'counselling' and 'therapy' have become used interchangeably in recent years. As explained by the NHS, “Counselling is a talking therapy that involves a trained therapist listening to you and helping you find ways to deal with emotional issues. Sometimes, the term ‘counselling’ is used to refer to talking therapies in general, but counselling is also a type of therapy in its own right.”

Though the terms are often used to mean the same thing, generally counsellors look at specific issues over a shorter time period, whilst therapists often go deeper, looking to uncover the root causes of experiences, and treatment often spans over a longer period of time. It is important to recognise, however, that it is common for counselling to be referred to as 'therapy' and vice-versa. Equally, counsellors may utilise elements of therapy and therapists may counsel. 

Different types of mental health professionals will offer a range of support. Don't worry if it takes you some time to figure out what you need. The relationship between counsellor/therapist and client is an important one, so be sure to ask questions.

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How can I access counselling?

Counselling/therapy does not come in a cookie-cutter format and each session is generally tailored to the individual. There is flexibility within this type of therapy that allows for a variety of formats, including:

Face-to-face

This is when you make an appointment with a counsellor/therapist to see them in person, usually at their practice. Face-to-face sessions are one of the more popular therapy formats because they provide an opportunity for you to react to any emotions that arise there and then. 

Individual or group

You may choose to see a counsellor/therapist by yourself, or if you prefer you could join a counselling group with people experiencing similar issues. Going to a group session can be helpful if you want to discuss your issues with people who are going through similar problems and you may even gain yourself a support network. Alternatively, you may wish to see a counsellor/therapist alone to preserve your privacy and concentrate on your own feelings.  

Telephone counselling

For some, telephone counselling offers a helpful alternative to face-to-face counselling. This involves talking to your counsellor/therapist over the phone instead of in person. This form of therapy can be particularly useful for those too busy to attend face-to-face sessions and can be carried out in the comfort of your own home. This format also tends to be more flexible and can potentially reduce waiting list times.

Online counselling

Some people prefer to speak to their counsellor/therapist remotely, using video calling technology or emailing them instead. Video calling removes the barrier of distance, allowing you to choose a therapist regardless of location and speak to them from a safe space. Online counselling is an increasingly popular option, with more and more offering it. 

Counselling can give you the time and space to work through any problems, issues, or worries you may be experiencing. Through working with a professional, impartial, experienced counsellor or therapist, you have the opportunity to open up about things you may feel uncomfortable or not ready to speak about with a loved one or friend. 

What are the three forms of therapy?

There are three main forms of therapy. These are:

  • person-centred therapy
  • psychodynamic therapies
  • cognitive behavioural therapies

Find out more about the types of counselling and which approach may be right for you.

Each model has its own strengths and weaknesses. Individuals may find one approach more appropriate than another, depending on their own personal preference, or the severity and depth of their problem.

- Jane Bronwyn Holder (BA Hons) in What are the main counseling approaches?

What can counselling help with?

Counselling/therapy can be useful for anyone who wants to explore the way they're thinking or feeling further, as well as for anyone experiencing a problem or issue they are keen to resolve. People may choose to speak to a counsellor/therapist because they feel they cannot speak to their other half/friends/family about such personal issues, or they may simply wish to speak to a professional with an objective viewpoint.

Common subjects that can be addressed within counselling/therapy include the following:

Addictions or substance abuse

Wherever there is a physical addiction to a substance or activity - there is likely to be a psychological addiction too. Counselling/therapy aims to relieve psychological addiction by exploring the root cause while helping to develop new ways of thinking.

Bereavement

Losing a loved one is a difficult event in anyone's life. The loss can bring up a wide range of emotions including guilt and anger. Some people benefit from speaking openly to a counsellor about their feelings to help ease the process and resolve any remaining issues they may have.

Bullying

Being the victim of any form of abuse - verbal, emotional or physical - can lead to issues that may affect you all of your life. Counselling can offer victims the chance to seek help from authorities (if appropriate) as well as address the psychological repercussions in a safe environment.

Illness

Suffering from a long-term illness such as cancer or dementia can turn anyone's world upside down. Counselling can help sufferers come to terms with their illness while offering emotional support and coping mechanisms.

Mental health

Suffering from a mental health issue such as schizophrenia or depression can feel incredibly isolating. Counselling/therapy looks to discuss the feelings that arise in conjunction with these kinds of mental health issues, as well as overcome any personal challenges or frustrations. 

Relationships

Covering all types of relationships, counselling can be used to discuss couple, marital, friendship and family issues. Problems could involve anything from a poor relationship with a parent, difficulties in a friendship or with a partner, or even your relationships at work.

Trauma

Whether you've been involved in an accident or you have been the victim of abuse, the psychological impact of trauma can last years after the event itself. In a counselling session, trauma victims are encouraged to explore their feelings regarding the incident and look into how these could be resolved or changed.

Other issues

Feelings of stress, anxiety and low self-esteem are becoming all too common in today's society. Counselling/therapy can offer practical advice for overcoming these kinds of issues, as well as allowing you the space to vent your frustrations and feelings.

Read more about the conditions, concerns and topics counselling or therapy can help with.


What are the benefits of counselling/therapy?

Counsellor Disree Shaw explains the benefits of counselling in this short video.

The way counselling/therapy can help will depend on the person receiving the treatment. For many, the fact that counselling offers a safe and confidential environment to speak in is all it takes. In life, what we say to others can sometimes have a knock-on effect, altering relationships and the way people see each other. Therapy eliminates this problem and offers you the space and freedom to explore your own thoughts with an unbiased party.

While counsellors/therapists may not give you concrete advice or a checklist of things to do to feel better, what they will do is help you uncover your own insight and understanding of your problems, providing you with the tools which will help you to resolve them on your own.

In the majority of cases, a single session will not be enough to help overcome any issues you're facing. Counselling is a journey, and it takes time and consistency to work effectively. Because of this, many people opt for regular sessions to make the most of the process.

Counselling/therapy can help you understand yourself better and the way you think, which will ultimately help you develop a clearer understanding of your problems. The more armed with information you are, the easier it gradually becomes to navigate your way through any difficulties you are facing, so that eventually you can come out the other side feeling more positive.  It can also help you better understand other people's points of view, which can shed light on the way you interpret words or actions.


Types of therapy

When it comes to counselling, there is a range of different approaches or 'therapies' that can be used. The type of therapy used will depend on your counsellor's preferences, the issues you are facing and what type of person you are. Most counsellors won't decide on a therapy type until they have found out more about you, the problems you face and the way you think.

The more common types of therapy include:

Art therapy

Taking an alternative approach to counselling, art therapy encourages clients to use artistic methods to communicate their issues as well as words. This may be in the form of a painting, a sculpture or even a simple drawing. The aim of art therapy is to examine the resulting pieces of art and to interpret their meaning.

Behavioural therapy

The principle idea behind behavioural therapy is that our behaviour is learnt and can essentially be unlearnt. This leads behavioural therapy to focus more on the present as opposed to looking back to the past. This type of therapy is, therefore, best used with those looking to change their behaviour, for example, sufferers of addiction or those with a phobia.

Cognitive therapy

The way we think often leads to changes in our behaviour, and cognitive therapy looks to reconcile issues where they begin - in our thoughts. The therapy looks to address any skewed ways of thinking that may be occurring and eventually aims to replace them with healthier, more positive thought patterns.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT looks to combine both cognitive therapy and behavioural therapy in order to tackle the thought process and the resulting behaviour. Focusing on the present, CBT is a practical therapy that aims to break down problems into smaller, more manageable issues. This therapy is especially useful for those with more specific problems as it addresses each emotion separately.

Learn more about CBT and how it may help you on Happiful.

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is typically used to treat issues that originated from trauma, though it's starting to be used more widely for issues such as depression and anxiety. The therapy involves recalling the distressing event/feeling while following the therapist’s finger as it moves from side to side. The aim is to reduce the intensity of these memories over time.

Humanistic therapies

The humanistic approach is holistic in style, looking at factors such as free will, creativity and human potential. The therapy type encourages self-exploration, with many varieties focusing on the 'here and now'. Therapies that fall under this umbrella include Human Givens therapy, person-centred therapy and Gestalt therapy.

Psychoanalysis

One of the oldest therapies used in psychology; it was Freud who founded the psychoanalytic technique. The therapy takes a different approach to behavioural and cognitive therapies as it perceives our thoughts to be out of our conscious control. Instead, psychoanalysis believes any psychological issues stem from childhood and need to be addressed in order to be resolved.

Learn more about the history of counselling.


What to expect from a counselling/therapy session

If you have decided to try counselling/therapy, you might be feeling anxious about your first session. Deciding to get help and address the issues you are facing is an important first step and should be commended. Knowing what to expect from a session should help you feel more prepared and less nervous about your first appointment.

In your first session, your therapist will likely ask you some questions to gain an understanding of what's worrying you and the way your thought processes work. All of the information obtained here will be used to help you in future sessions.

Some questions your counsellor/therapist may ask include:

Why are you seeking counselling?

You'll most likely be asked what it is that has brought you here. This is your opportunity to discuss exactly why you are there and what you hope to gain from it. 

What is your current situation and personal history?

It is important to let your counsellor/therapist know your current situation, this includes any day-to-day issues you are facing and even your work and home life. Discussing your personal history will give your counsellor/therapist a chance to understand more about you as a person and why these issues may have occurred.

What symptoms are you experiencing?

Whether these are physical or psychological, it is important to discuss any symptoms with your therapist.

It is advised that you be honest and open when answering these questions to get the most out of your counselling sessions.

During your experience, you should aim to build a trusting relationship with your therapist so that you feel safe and confident discussing your worries. If for any reason you do not feel comfortable talking about your problems with them, it is perfectly acceptable to look for another one.

Your counsellor/therapist should establish some clear boundaries when you begin your sessions that cover the following:

  • dates and times of the sessions
  • confidentiality agreement
  • clarification of the professional nature of the counsellor/client relationship
  • how and when they can be contacted outside of sessions

The counselling process

Counselling often requires you to discuss upsetting emotions and painful memories. Bringing up these thoughts can feel difficult to start with and initially, you may feel worse. This process is necessary to move forward and in time, you should start to feel better.

To get the most from your sessions you should aim to make them consistent. Some sessions will feel more helpful than others, but it's important to realise that everything your counsellor is doing is designed to help you in the long run, even if it doesn't feel like it in the beginning.

It's also worth remembering that counselling is not a quick fix and that your counsellor will not be able to tell you what to do. The counselling process requires a strong relationship between you and your counsellor and a degree of effort on your part - together these two elements create a successful method to help you resolve your issues.

See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information. 

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