What are Psychotherapy and Counselling

PSYCHOTHERAPY is any system for helping people with their personal problems bytalking with them, rather than by using drugs and other physical treatments. There are very many systems of psychotherapy. The most commonly used include Non-Directive or Rogerian Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Freudian and Jungian Psychoanalysis, and Hypnotherapy. Many scientific studies have proved the effectivene of psychotherapy. Studies comparing one form of psychotherapy with another suggest that the personal qualities of the psychotherapist and the attitudes of the client are more important than the specific psychotherapy system that is being used. (See the book "What Works for Whom?” by Anthony Roth and Peter Fonagy). This applies to all forms of psychotherapy including hypnotherapy. An effective hypnotherapist believes in his form of psychotherapy, is genuinely interested in the client, respects the client’s individual qualities, and uses hypnotherapy entirely for the client’s benefit without seeking gains for himself other than the agreed hourly fee. The client’s attitude to therapy is also crucial. A good hypnotherapist encourages the client’s belief and readiness for change.  See “What is Hypnotherapy?” and “How Does Hypnotherapy Work?” to learn more.

COUNSELLING generally refers to the “Non-Directive” form of psychotherapy where the
counsellor mostly listens to the client. This can be effective, however many of my clients
have already had counselling, and are now looking for a more “active” psychotherapy.
In my Plymouth hypnotherapy and counselling practice I work to identify the client’s
problems and devise methods by which these can be overcome as soon as possible.

ADVICE AND DIRECTION. Many psychotherapists, including hypnotherapists, will certainly
give detailed advice on things like self-hypnosis and other self-help techniques. They
should not however give advice on personal choices, such as whom you should marry or
what job you should apply for. The therapist’s job is not to govern their client’s life, but
rather to enlarge their freedom and understanding so they can make their own decisions
and stick to them.