When you search for online counselling courses, you're likely to also find online training to become a therapist. This naturally raises the question of the differences between the two. The most pertinent question is - are they, in fact, the same thing?
How Can Counselling Improve Your Mental Health?
The truth is that both counselling and therapy support good mental health in their own ways, so before you invest in either therapy or online counselling courses, it pays to know the differences to ensure you're entering the most suitable field. That's something you'll find out more about by reading on.
What Is The Difference Between Counselling And Therapy?
Well, the answer is a little complicated, as the lines between the two disciplines can sometimes be a little blurred. An Advanced Counselling Course will prepare you for a very specific career counselling people, whereas to fulfil a therapy position, your training needs to focus on different aspects of mental and emotional support.
So, to avoid any more confusion, we now look at the two in isolation.
Option #1 - Counselling
When someone visits a counsellor, they don't get a complete psychological evaluation because a counsellor focuses very much on the present, and works to find solutions to current life roadblocks. A career change into counselling simply doesn't delve deep into your family's past.
Studying for your counselling career will become a part of your personal development and will arm you with the skills and knowledge you need to perform the role, which includes:
- Listening closely without judgement
- Being empathetic & respectful
- Identification of psychological roadblocks
- Offering suggestions, feedback, or solutions
- Relating your own past experiences & providing perspective
Try and think of counselling as an informal chat with someone who isn't going to judge you and acts as a confidant and sounding board for any problems you might have. Counselling is typically a short-term measure and will involve just a few sessions.
Option #2 - Therapy
Whilst some of the skills learned in online counselling courses will apply in the world of therapy, there are some fundamental differences. Therapy focuses on long-term solutions, as it’s about addressing well-established feelings, behaviours, and thoughts that have caused long-standing issues.
Therapy delves deep into the root causes of emotional issues, and it typically results in much more profound changes in a person's life. It can significantly impact a person's beliefs, feelings, beliefs and perspective on life, as it's all about providing the person in therapy with a tool kit with which they can self-reflect and understand their own unconscious triggers.
Therapy is usually a much longer process and could involve sessions on an ongoing, open-ended basis. The skills used by the therapy practitioner are largely similar to those needed in counselling. Still, the process is a very different one due to the fundamental nature of the issues faced.
OCA Aged Care Courses - Your Key To A Rewarding Career
In short, counselling focuses on the here & now, and therapy deals with past traumas and events that have shaped a person's current state of being. Your counselling course will prepare you for a position in that field, whereas training to become a therapist can be a much longer process.
The great news, if you decide that counselling is the path for you, is that CPD Endorsed video-based counselling courses online allow you to get the skills and knowledge you need at a pace that suits you. Moreover, the learning experience is an enjoyable one, as you can see in vivid detail by watching our student study demo.
Our learning also comes with 1 to 1 mentoring and 24/7 tutorial support in case you need any additional guidance. We even offer flexible payment options on all our courses that cover more than 20 different industries - something you can find out more about by visiting us today at www.onlinecoursesaustralia.edu.au. If you are curious about any jobs with animals, chat with a support team worker today.
Alternatively, to speak to us directly about your training needs, call 1300 611 404 or email us at [email protected], and we'll get back to you without delay.
