Psychology is the study of how the human mind works and its influence on behavior. However, it has several branches, including counseling psychology. Counseling psychology helps to address emotional, social, vocational, and health-related issues that may affect individuals’ developmental and organizational concerns. There are many counseling psychologist groups involved in addressing issues that impact an individual’s well-being. Virtuous Circle Counselling is one such entity that helps individuals going through emotional and mental trauma, helping them lead normal lives.
Counseling vs. Clinical Psychology
These two branches of psychology get used interchangeably so much that many people think they mean the same thing. While both branches are very similar, they differ in some crucial ways.
At its very core, counseling psychology deals with otherwise mentally healthy individuals who are just going through a rough patch. Of course, this rough patch could be so severe that it begins to impact their daily lives immensely.
Clinical psychology is more about handling serious mental illnesses like chronic depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and all other such mental illnesses. This is known as psychopathology
What a Counselling Psychologist Does
Counseling psychology does not address a “disease” per se but behaviors and the emotional turmoil associated with very unpleasant or stressful events. A counseling psychologist can help an individual going through one of the following situations:
1)Emotional Effects of Physical Injuries or Disability
Physical injuries sustained due to traumatic events like car accidents or an assault can leave an individual very traumatized. A counseling psychologist can help such an individual to process the numerous devastating emotions that result from such an event. May an individual develop a sudden, debilitating condition that leaves them paralyzed. A counseling psychologist helps all such individuals to fully process what happened and move on.
2) High-Stress Situations
Numerous situations can cause extreme anxiety, anger, frustration, and depression. For example, a nasty divorce can leave an individual mentally and emotionally drained. A counseling psychologist helps such an individual to deal with such situations by teaching them to manage the negative emotions and mental anguish that is associated with such events.
3) Overcoming a Learning Challenge
Many people, especially young learners, may have learning difficulties due to a wide range of circumstances. Whether such challenges are the direct result of a health issue, antisocial behavior, or a substance abuse problem, a counseling psychologist can help young people to tackle such issues, thereby empowering them to overcome learning challenges.
4) Choosing a Career
Career counseling is crucial for young people. It helps them to choose their path in life. A counseling psychologist helps this process by encouraging young people to identify their strengths and values and how these can help them along a specific career path.
Counseling psychology is more about people’s interactions with their environment, whether it’s their minds or the external surroundings. As such, adults can equally benefit from the help of a counseling psychologist. This is especially true for people considering a career change or undergoing a major life event like a midlife crisis or being diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Techniques Employed By a Counselling Psychologist
A counseling psychologist will use a few ways to help individuals internalize their situations and deal with them. These techniques include:
I) Reflection: This involves the vocalization of the client’s statements. The psychologist repeats the feelings and statements of the client verbally. Sometimes these statements can be rephrased for better perspective and understanding.
ii) Open-Ended Questions: Much like an interrogation or a conversation with a doctor, a counseling psychologist is all about eliciting the client’s issue in its entirety. An open-ended question gives room for the client to fully express their thoughts and feelings.
iii) Art Therapy: This technique is usually helpful for young clients. It involves the use of toys, dolls, or other such devices to help with the expression of feelings and their management.
Do You Need a Counselling Psychologist?
Counseling psychologists, like many other therapists, are become more sought after because of increased mental health needs among the general population. Depending on your situation and circumstances, you may not even know that you need a counseling psychologist’s help in dealing with personal problems. If you feel that any life event is adversely affecting your daily life, perhaps it’s time to schedule an appointment with these kinds of professionals. Maybe you’re having difficulty dealing with the loss of a loved one or something dear to you. Whatever the case, signing up for therapy with a counseling psychologist will go a long way toward alleviating your problem, at least mentally.
