The deep desire of each human being is to be heard and understood. Man is a social animal and there is a need to interact, to share and to make contact at a very human level. Modern life with its fast pace makes it difficult for people to stop and listen to what family members, neighbours, friends, colleagues have to say. We are so busy with the routine of our lives and demands that are made on us, we fail to make the essential human contact. It is this personal touch that psychological counselors provide. They are there to listen to you unconditionally and  to help you

 

“Psychological counselors facilitate personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span with a focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns. They help people improve their well-being, alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to live more highly functioning lives.”

 

Though closely related to clinical psychology, counseling psychology differs from that field in  several subtle ways. First, counseling psychologists typically focus on less severe psychopathology (e.g., depression and anxiety), while clinical psychologists deal with more seriously disturbed individuals (e.g., those with schizophrenia or personality disorders). In the UK, however, there is less distinction between the types of cases that clinical and counseling psychologists work with. The difference is emphasized more in how they work with an individual. Second, counseling psychologists are more likely than clinical psychologists to assume a client-centered or humanistic theoretical approach. Finally, counseling psychology is unique in its attention both to normal developmental issues as well as the problems associated with physical, emotional, and mental disorders. Despite these differences, counseling and clinical psychology are becoming increasingly indistinguishable, leading some to suggest that these fields be combined.

 

Populations served by counseling psychologists include persons of all ages and cultural backgrounds. Examples of those populations would include late adolescents or adilts with career/educational concerns and children or adults facing severe personal difficulties. Counseling psychologists also consult with organizations seeking to enhance their effectiveness or the well-being of their members.

COUNSELING