Counseling psychology encompasses both the research and applied work, dealing with a wide range of human problems at varied developmental levels as well as normal human functioning.
It is distinguished from other psychological specialties (e.g., clinical psychology) in its historical emphasis on the promotion of personal well-being through the application of psychological principles to everyday challenges of living, rather than its primary focus on the treatment of psychopathology.
The field of counseling psychology provides a wide range of services to clients who experience a variety of symptoms, including school failure and academic underachievement, depression, eating disorders, self-injury that includes suicidal behavior, and adjustment issues.
The focus is on typical human functioning across the lifespan, with an emphasis on typical problems of living. This can include such issues as personal growth, aging, school difficulties, life transitions (e.g., marriages or divorces), career concerns (e.g., performance reviews or burnout), and more.
What do Counseling Psychologists do?
Broadly put, counseling psychologists are empathetic and non-judgmental listeners who help you work on your personal and professional growth using research-backed therapies, assessments, and methodologies that are purely scientific in nature and free from judgments/opinions and biased advice.
Counseling psychologists use assessment, research, intervention, and consultation to improve the mental health of their clients. They also play an active role in promoting social justice and helping to prevent problems before they arise.
They are trained to work with clients experiencing any type of difficulty. This can include working with individuals who are struggling with mental illness, those who are having problems adjusting to daily life situations, or people who have been through traumatic experiences such as war or abuse. Common approaches employed by them include psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, humanistic therapy, and family systems therapy. Counseling psychologists may work in private practice or at a mental health clinic.
Types of Counseling Psychology
The following are common types of counseling psychology:
Individual Psychotherapy
Individual psychotherapy is the most common form of counseling psychology. It aims to help people with a variety of issues, including mental health issues. Therapists can help clients work through their problems and develop strategies to make changes in their lives.
Family counseling
Families also seek counseling for a variety of reasons. Sometimes there's a crisis, like abuse or a death. Other times, families just want to improve their relationships and communication skills.
Grief counseling
Counselors can help people (and families) cope with their grief after a loved one has died or after someone has experienced an unexpected loss due to divorce or other reasons.
Relationship counseling
The relationship counselor is trained to help you gain insights into your relationship, identify problematic relationship patterns and learn more effective ways of communicating. Relationship counseling is about improving your ability to resolve conflicts and cope with difficult situations as a couple.
Substance abuse counseling
Often, substance abuse counselors work with those who have drug and alcohol addiction problems, but substance abuse counselors may also work with people who have eating disorders or other compulsions.
Rehabilitation counseling
Rehabilitation counselors assess the needs of patients who have suffered from brain injuries, strokes, psychological disorders, or other problems that affect their ability to live independently. Rehabilitation counselors help these individuals find the resources they need to function on their own. They also provide therapy that aims to improve the quality of life for patients and their caregivers.
Child counseling
Child counseling is another type of individual counseling that focuses on children in need of mental health care. Child counselors use play therapy, art therapy, and other techniques to identify problems and help children through these issues. They also often interact with parents and guardians to provide guidance on how to care for the child outside of sessions.
Group therapy
Group therapy is a treatment approach that involves a counselor working with several people at once. Group therapy can involve as few as three people or can involve many more than that—it all depends on what's best for each particular situation. Group therapy can be beneficial because it allows members to offer support and feedback to one another, which can be helpful for some people in recovery from addiction, trauma, and other difficult situations.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you deal with problems by breaking them down into smaller parts. You learn how you can change negative thoughts and patterns in a more practical way to improve your feelings. It focuses on your current problems, and not problems from the past.
Mindfulness-based counseling
Mindfulness-based counseling trains our minds to be more aware of the present thoughts and feelings. People who practice mindfulness regularly may use it as part of a mental health treatment plan for conditions such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
Need Help?
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