Most people searching for a therapist aren't entirely sure what the difference is between a counsellor, a psychotherapist and a psychologist, and it can even be confusing for people inside the field. So here’s my go at explaining it, although is often far more nuanced.

Counselling, psychotherapy and psychology all work with your inner world, your patterns, your relationships, your sense of self. The difference tends to be in depth and orientation.

Counselling often focuses on present concerns and building insight and coping.

Psychotherapy at its core, is interested in what's underneath, the patterns that formed early, the parts of you that developed as a way of surviving, and what becomes possible when those parts finally get some attention. This is what I do

Psychology can work in all of these ways depending on their training and approach with the biggest difference being their capacity for formal testing, a diagnostic pathway, or a clinical diagnosis. That's the part I don’t I do.

But here's one thing that matters almost more than any of those distinctions: the relationship. Research consistently shows that the most important factor in whether therapy works isn't the modality or the method, it's the connection between you and your therapist. So while it's worth understanding the differences, what you're really trying to work out is whether you’re going to connect with someone and if the way they work resonates with you.

So as you read through my website, notice what's happening in you. Are you nodding? Does something feel familiar or right? Are you curious and wanting to know more? That's usually a good sign. If it's not landing, that's useful information too, and it just means someone else might be a better fit. Either way, hopefully you'll leave this page with a clearer sense of where you're headed and if you have more questions you can always book in a free 20 minute discovery call