What Is A Counselling Psychologist?

Wondering what Counselling Psychology means?

How it is the same, or different from other fields in Psychology?

“Counselling”, in ‘Counselling Psychology’, refers to an underlying worldview: a philosophical understanding of how people develop and how hurt and trauma can be treated in therapy. My worldview and psychological practice is guided by the counselling philosophies. I will highlight some of the aspects that I consider most valuable here. As you read this, you may sense that this feels very ‘normal’ to you or does it surprise you? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!

As a Counselling Psychologist, I am a Psychologist fundamentally: a psycho-therapist, researcher and mental-health advocate. My worldview and therapy-practice are grounded in Humanistic and Person-Centred views: one of my core values is to place the person, and our relationship at the core of our work. I aim to empower the person in their agency and diversity. And I aim to facilitate personal and interpersonal growth: improving the relationship with oneself & people around them.

To promote well-being and to empower the person to live a fulfilled life: in the way they want to live it.

I actively work to understand how different factors of someone’s life play into their current situation, for example: how individual and social factors, environmental and cultural influences are impacting on the persons’ wellbeing - in the past, present and future. This also means that I consider and appreciate mental health diagnosis; however,

a person is far more than a diagnosis.

As a Counselling Psychologist I practice a broad range of assessments, formulations and evidence-based practices. I am trained in, and use a wide range of psychological therapies, also known as psychotherapy, to adapt to the individual person’s needs and the relationship. Approaches that I work with are Emotion Focussed Therapy; Psychodynamic Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapies.