In today's world, there's growing awareness and acceptance of mental health care. As more of us recognise the importance of mental well-being, understanding what counselling and psychotherapy actually look like can be invaluable to those seeking support. This blog post aims to demystify these practices, explaining what they are and what you can expect from your first therapy session.
Psychotherapy and counselling are umbrella terms that cover a range of talking therapies (Daymond & Millward, 2021). Psychotherapists and counsellors are professionals specifically trained to work with you to help you develop a better understanding of yourself. They are impartial, listen without judgment and work with your emotions. They won’t tell you what to do or give you advice but will help you find your own solutions.
What is the difference between psychotherapy and counselling?
Counselling is typically seen as a short-term or goal-oriented process focused on helping you navigate life's challenges and transitions, providing support to help you address specific issues. Psychotherapy, also a talking therapy, is a deeper, more long-term treatment designed to address psychological issues. It focuses on understanding emotional difficulties through unconscious processes, changing deep-seated patterns, and exploring past experiences.
The two are sometimes used interchangeably, but there is no legal requirement to have particular qualifications to call yourself either - in fact, you may be surprised to learn there is no legal requirement to be qualified at all. Psychotherapy and counselling is an unregulated industry, which is why it is vital you look for a therapist who is subscribed to a membership body like the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) to ensure you are working with someone who practices ethically and safely.
What happens in the first therapy session?
Each therapist will have their way of beginning sessions, but a first session should always cover:
Introductions:
You will usually spend a couple of minutes introducing yourselves and your therapist will explain a little about how they work. Here, it might help you to ask about their qualifications or experience, or anything you might not be sure about. This is your opportunity to mention your preferred name, pronouns or anything else important to you.
Assessment:
This is your opportunity to share background information, discuss your concerns, and set goals for therapy. Your therapist will usually ask what brings you to therapy and what they hope to achieve from sessions. They might want you to complete some forms, or go through information they’ve received about you, such as a referral letter from your GP. What’s really important is that you get the opportunity to tell the therapist about what’s troubling you.
Contracting:
Your therapist will lay out their terms, contract or agreement about how they will provide their services. This should be a printed document for you both to sign, and it is essential to ask any questions that you may have or seek clarification on anything that is not clear.
This first session is important for ensuring you feel comfortable with your therapist and their way of working. You don’t have to continue with a therapist if you can’t relate to them or don’t feel safe. This session marks the start of your journey together and your therapist will want to make sure you are as comfortable as possible.
The therapeutic relationship
Regardless of how you are working together, research consistently shows that the relationship between you and your therapist is paramount to healing (Norcross & Lambert, 2018), so it’s important that you find a therapist you feel at ease with. A safe, non-judgmental, and confidential environment allows clients to feel secure and open up about their thoughts and feelings. Trust and rapport are essential components of this relationship, contributing significantly to the effectiveness of therapy.
Conclusion
Understanding what counselling and psychotherapy involve can help demystify these essential mental health spaces. Whether you're seeking support for everyday challenges or deeper psychological issues, therapy can offer valuable benefits.
Psychotherapists and counsellors will all have their own style of working, but the most important factor in your sessions is your relationship with your therapist. While their qualifications and experience are important (and you should check they are registered with a membership body), the title they use is less important.
You should always feel safe, accepted and valued in therapy. As a notable therapist, Irvin Yalom, once wrote: “It’s the relationship that heals. It’s the relationship that heals. It’s the relationship that heals.”
Need support? Reach out to me, a qualified therapist who specialises in trauma within relationships. You deserve to be heard and supported on your journey.
References:
Daymond, K., & Millward, S. (2021). Introduction to counselling and psychotherapy: Client information. BACP. https://www.bacp.co.uk/media/11060/bacp-introduction-counselling-and-psychotherapy-client-information-sheet-march-21.pdf
Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2018). Psychotherapy relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 55(4), 303–315. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000193
Yalom, I. D. (1989). Love’s executioner and other tales of psychotherapy. Penguin.