Q. I am very confused, what is the difference between psychotherapy, psychology and psychiatry?

A. Psychotherapists, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists have all had professional training to help people with mental health issues but there are significant differences among the three disciplines.

Psychiatry is a medical speciality. It is the study of mental disorders, their diagnosis and management. It often but not always involves the prescription of medication.

Psychology is the study of how the mind works, and how people act and interact. A clinical Psychologist will have a degree in psychology.

Psychotherapy supports people at times of emotional distress or crisis. There are different approaches in psychotherapy which include:

• cognitive behavioural therapies
• psychoanalytic therapies
• psychodynamic therapies
• systemic and family psychotherapy
• arts and play therapies
• humanistic and integrative psychotherapies
• hypno-psychotherapy
• experiential constructivist therapies

A psychotherapist may have undertaken intensive and specialised training in the area, or may come from a psychology or psychiatry background and have undertaken further training in psychotherapy.

Q. I never had therapy before and I know it is quite expensive. How many sessions would I need to get better?

A. Even though there may be a common denominator to many issues, each individual is different. Therefore it is difficult  to estimate how long therapy will last, In our very first sessions together we will identify the issues you feel are more pressing, discuss your expectations about coming to therapy and identify some goals for the work together which may give you a sense of what getting better really means to you. You may also get a sense of progress after each session.

Irish Health Insurers usually offer refunds for a certain number of sessions of psychotherapy and counselling per year, if the therapist is accredited with IAHIP or IACP. Always check with your health insurer to make sure they cover therapy. Income tax relief may also be available.

Q. I often feel there is something wrong with me. Will psychotherapy fix me?

A. We may feel broken and have lost our sense of oneness. You will find those broken pieces in therapy and make a new whole, but the process that will make that possible is not fixing, it is compassionate healing. Therapy is not directive. It aims to help you find in yourself the resources and the strengths to live a more fulfilling life.

Q. I have heard a lot about it. Is that what you do?

A. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is one of many psychotherapy approaches. At its core there is the basic tenet that the way we think influences our feelings and our behaviors. By identifying negative and distorted cognitions we can lift our mood and make significant changes in our lives. As an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist, I tailor the sessions based on my client’s individual needs, and CBT is one of the many approaches I would use.

Q. I see those terms used interchangeably. What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?

A. Both counselling and psychotherapy provide professional help and support to people in times of change or crisis. Counselling may focus more on providing immediate support with pressing, contingent issues and may be more limited in time. Psychotherapy tends to explore deeper, more long-term issues that may have originated in the past.  Their underlying principles are the same. They both have their foundation in an empathic and confidential relationship provided in a safe and non-judgmental space.