A skilled counsellor or psychotherapist will listen and help you understand how past experiences, worries about the future or lack of confidence may be affecting your life. Together you can reflect on how you respond to life events and explore the way you relate to yourself and others.

A psychotherapist or counsellor will not tell you what to do or give advice, but will help you make your own choices. You are free to talk safely, without fear of rejection, criticism or blame.

Counselling tends to focus on a specific life crisis such as bereavement, loss or change or on immediate problems in the family or workplace. It is usually short or medium term, from a few weeks to a few months.

Psychotherapy usually takes place over a longer period of time and sessions may be more frequent than once-weekly. A person seeking psychotherapy is not necessarily going through a crisis, although he or she may be aware of a deep sense of dissatisfaction, or a feeling that life is meaningless.

Some people seek psychotherapy when they are aware of serious long-standing issues, such as those stemming from childhood. Others may experience chronic or recurrent difficulties in maintaining relationships or in expressing feelings. Some people embark on psychotherapy as a form of personal development, seeking to understand themselves and others better.

If you would like to know more, an e-publication entitled The Talking Therapies is available as a free download from the Department of Health.