Counselling

Counselling in Edinburgh

Counselling is a professional conversation between a therapist and a client where structure and healing space combine to allow processing and discussion of personal issues or couples issues. It is not as directive as psychotherapy or psychoanalysis, it is usually shorter term (12 sessions to 6 months), and is usually suited to persons without formal serious diagnosis who wants to gain personal understanding and personal development. Counselling is recognised as an essential job function of psychotherapists and hypnotherapists.

Our service, provided by Stuart, is integrative and multi modal, meaning that Stuart is equipped, qualified and highly accredited to provide a combination of therapies, tailored to the needs of the client, not some basic training somewhere. Modern neurological research shows clearly that “talking” alone is not effective with trauma and serious issues, Stuart is trained and accredited in the other methods recommended such as psycho education, mindfulness and neurological training in psychotherapy.

We do not provide any form of conversion therapy. We are an inclusive provider, and we will work with you over the therapy process to ensure we are the clinically appropriate service for your needs and that working with your needs will be within our competency, and match our service specialisms

What kinds of counselling are available

Stuart trained 1993-96 in psychoanalysis, clinical hypnotherapy and humanistic style counselling (graduate level). His specialities are integrative counselling, psychoanalytic & cognitive behavioural psychotherapy, and humanistic counselling. He has also completed CPD and post graduate training in person centered, TA, Gestalt, primal and integrative counselling. He also completed (post graduate) accreditation assessment with the NACHP in psychotherapy, counselling and hypnotherapy. He is registered with several professional bodies as a fully accredited counsellor and psychotherapist.

The counselling available in Edinburgh and Falkirk is distinct from the clinical psychotherapy service. Clinical psychotherapy is for cases of clinical diagnosis, for example where the client has bipolar depression, a mood disorder, an anxiety disorder or some other condition. For these types of issue, psychotherapy, clinical mindfulness or psychoanalysis or CBT are more appropriate. Counselling is offered for those lighter touch cases where the person wants to explore their personal development and well being, or perhaps move on from historical issues.

There are often symptoms of anxiety or depression present in non clinical cases, or other issues like anger and stress. However the level of case for counselling is lighter than in psychotherapy.

Counselling is usually regular over a number of months, clinical psychotherapy is regular but more intensive and often takes longer.

What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy

This is a disputed area with some people claiming there is no clear difference.  one opinion, and that shared by Stuart, is that psychotherapy is more directive and focused than counselling, which tends to be a more “open space”. it is often deeper, and takes longer and addresses more serious problems, such as clinical diagnosis.

Traditionally counsellors claim not to “treat” anyone – or in other words provide therapeutic treatment. This does mean that there must be a difference between counselling and psychotherapy, or psychological therapy. Traditionally therefore counsellors addess those who are unhappy but well. Psychotherapists treat the mentally unwell with an actual diagnosis.

In counselling no direct advice or education is given, whereas in psychotherapy elements like psycho-education, coaching and useful guidance are offered but not imposed.

Often, as with this service, psychotherapy is provided as a clinical healthcare service where clinical diagnosis or deep rooted issues exist. Usually this means an extended period of support, sometimes spanning years.  It can also be solution focused psychotherapy such as CBT, MBCT or CBASP orientated.

Counselling tends to be regular over a series of a few months, and is thus usually shorter term than clinical psychotherapy.

What is the difference between counselling and psychoanalysis

Typically psychoanalysis looks to analyse the patterns, history and perception of the client, using one of the different schools, or combination of different schools of psychoanalytic thought. Counselling tends to be an open book, or clean slate with unconditional positive regard. Psychoanalysis looks to find answers on a deeper level. There are many forms of psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is a traditionally long term therapy, although short term psychoanalysis is offered. In traditional analysis little advice or training is offered, limiting it.

Couples counselling, stress counselling, anger counselling, grief counselling, LGBT BDSM Kink & Queer counselling in Edinburgh.
  • Couples counselling is a general term used for most couples based therapy work, be that psychoanalytic or person centred for example.
  • Stress counselling is a specific and specialised use of techniques to assist in the understanding and management of stress and incorporates elements of coaching and mindfulness (e.g. MBSR).
  • Grief counselling is a specialised method of counselling dealing with the processing and healing after a loss of a loved one, pet or relationship.
  • Stuart is actively involved in ongoing training and involvement with the LGBT* and BDSM/Kink/Poly therapeutic communities.
  • Anger management counselling is specifically focused on the underlying reasons for anger management difficulty
What to expect from counselling

You are expected to attend regularly on a weekly or fortnightly basis and to give 7 days warning of service cancellation. Full cancellation policy here.  This starts with an assessment session to ensure the service is right for you, where a case history and clinical diagnostic tools are employed. After this you will either be accepted as a counselling client, advised that you need a different therapeutic approach, or referred to another service (or to your GP).

Counselling involves the client speaking more than the therapist, who in turn listens, offers support and reflection, and helps the client to explore their feelings and experiences in order to gain understanding and make changes.

Fully accredited counsellor, psychotherapist and hypnotherapist for clinical work. NACHP is primary registration.

UKAHPP

UKAHPP registered psychotherapeutic counsellor (ordinary member: humanistic and non clinical therapy only)

Evidence:

NICE recommend counselling as an alternative treatment for a range of mental health issues, especially for those not suited to CBT and other first line methods.

Brettle et al (2008) showed that counselling was as effective as CBT for a range of generic adult mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

Pattison and Harris (2006) showed improvement in children and young adults in a range of mental health areas.

Brettle, A., Hill, A., & Jenkins, P. (2008). Counselling in primary care: A systematic review of the evidence. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 8(4), 207–214. https://doi.org/10.1080/14733140802453794

Pattison, S., & Harris, B. (2006). Counselling children and young people: A review of the evidence for its effectiveness. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 6(4), 233–237.

New Specifically Trauma related site NEW! HERE

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