Differences between psychotherapy and counselling. Who is looking for and who needs them?

Abstract

According to statistical forecasts in modern societies is trend of mental disorders growth, especially anxiety and depression. At the same time there will be probably present higher demands for professional psychosocial support. Psychotherapy and counselling as talking interventions are part of the psychosocial support, needed when people can’t resolve their (mental) problems by themselves. The article deals with the question about differneces between those two professions. Are those differences artificial, is there any argumented facts in favour of different proponents? For this purpose we have examined different definitions of counselling and psychotherapy, training standards, techniques and skills, ethical standards, treatment outcomes, depth of treatment and clients expiriences.