Psychotherapy and Counselling Centre, Mumbai, India.

Veena Chakravarthy - Clinical Psychologist/Psychotherapist/Neuropsychologist & Counsellor 

Counsellor

There is no clear cut distinction between a counsellor and psychotherapist. A counsellor listens to the clients,offers suggestions, feedbacks,and understanding. Counsellors help people to explore their feelings so they can reflect upon their life happenings and understand themselves and the situation better. They offer time, help, empathy and respect which the clients require in order to express their feelings and understand themselves from a different perspective.Counsellors suggest strategies to help the clients improve their perspective and behavior and thus better their life. They empower their clients by teaching them coping skills.

Across most areas of counselling, the counsellor establishes trust and respect with the client. Ecourages the client to speak openly about their issues, listen attentively and offer suggestions and help wherever required. Counsellors actively listen to the clients concern and empathise with their position.Counsellors are not judgemental and accept the issue of the clients without bias, they challenge the inconsistencies of the clients' words, thoughts and actions and thereby lead them to a deeper understanding of self.

Psychologist

Psychogists study human mind and behavior. They work in hospital settings ,clinics, private practice, social services and schools. Psychologists apply their knowledge to many fields like health services, law, education, sports, managements etc.

Clinical psychologists work more in the health and medical departments and provide counselling services for mentally and emotionally distressed clients. They work in rehabilitation settings, treating clients with chronic illness, neorological problems, spinal cord injuries, arthrities etc. Clinical psychologists interview clients and provide diagnostic tests. They also offer individual,family or group psychotherapy. Psychologists teach clients coping skills and design behavior modification techniques.

Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Psychologists are concerned with all aspects of behavior, thought, emotions, feelings and motivation underlying such behavior. They study people: how they act, react, interact. Psychologists are not medical doctors and are not entitled to prescribe medicines.

Psychiatrist are qualified medical doctors and deal with mental disorders, their diagnosis, mangement and prevention.

Psychotherapists might be qualified psychologists, psychiatrists or other mental health provider who has specialised training in providing therapy. Psychotherapy is conducted in ways like- individual, family, group psychotherapy. They are ways of helping people overcome emotional problems, stress, anxiety, behavioral problems etc.