Doubts from a novice counselor: does counseling really work?

Hello, question asker!

When I saw your problem, I laughed. I bet many novice psychological counselors have had similar doubts, including me!

This is also a question that is often asked by the general public. Thank you so much for coming to the Yi Xinli platform to ask your question! Your question may help many people gain a better understanding of psychological counseling, and may have indirectly provided popular education on psychological counseling. I have seen that many excellent answerers have already given wonderful answers, so thank you again!

I'd absolutely love to come and talk more about the topic of whether psychological counseling is really useful!

As someone who is just learning about psychological counseling, I am excited to explore whether psychological counseling is really useful!

Absolutely! It can be really helpful for so many people.

And the best part is that the effectiveness of the consultation depends on the following:

1. The motivation of the helper (in counseling, the helper is customarily called the visitor): It's fascinating to see how different levels of motivation can affect the outcome of a counseling session. Whether it's active or passive, large or small, or even urgent, every aspect of motivation brings a unique perspective to the table.

2. And there's more! The timing of the visitor's seeking of counseling can also affect the counseling effect.

3. The level of compatibility and trust between the client and the counselor is also a key factor.

4. And finally, we come to the all-important question: is the counseling setting stable?

5. A correct understanding of psychological counseling is key!

6. The stability, tolerance, and professionalism of the counselor—all of which are absolutely essential for a great experience!

7. The personal charisma of the counselor.

8. And the best part is, you can actually apply the information you get in the consultation to your daily life!

I'm thrilled to share a summary of some factors based on my own learning and experience!

Why not have as many schools of thought as there are stars in the sky? If you can learn about psychological counseling and use psychotherapy at the same time, then psychological counseling is just talk therapy – and a great one at that!

The different schools of psychological counseling have gradually developed and improved through criticism and disagreement. They are all based on psychoanalysis, and they will ultimately return to psychoanalysis. The future trend will be towards the integration of multiple schools, which is really exciting! At the same time, I believe that there will be new schools in the future, because human society is always developing, the social environment is constantly changing, and the psychological problems we face are also changing, so there's a lot of potential for growth and innovation!

One of our esteemed respondents has already provided a comprehensive and professional explanation of the difference between psychological counseling and psychotherapy. I'm not going to repeat it here because it's so good! In a nutshell, psychotherapy can involve the use of medication, which is the doctor's responsibility, while psychological counseling cannot involve the use of medication. According to the national mental health law, psychological counselors cannot accept patients diagnosed by doctors as having "mental illness."

There's so much more to psychological counseling than just talking! Talking is just one small part of the process. The real magic happens when a counselor and a visitor establish a strong, trusting relationship. This alliance is what brings about the greatest therapeutic benefits for the visitor. And it's not just about talking. It's also about the counselor's active listening and empathy, the dynamic between the counselor and the visitor, and even the stability of the counseling setting. All of these elements fall within the scope of counseling and can have a profound impact on the therapeutic journey.

Mr. Yue Xiaodong says a counselor needs four basic skills: listening, speaking, diagnosing, and doing. And there's more! Silence and sleep during counseling are meaningful, too.

Absolutely! It will work for so many people with all kinds of problems that have been going on for years!

Believe in it and it will work! Of course, the counselor is more often an assistant in problem solving rather than the one who solves the problem. Ultimately, the responsibility for whether the problem is solved or not is returned to the client!

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether it's effective or not. And I know it will be!

Absolutely! The effect of this therapy is not always immediate, and in some cases it may take months, years, or even longer to take effect.

And who knows—maybe some clients feel like there's no effect, but their lives have actually changed in ways they didn't even realize!

In short, the best way to know if psychological counseling is right for you is to try it for yourself!

I really hope my answer will inspire you and give you some new ideas! And I really hope you'll meet a more authentic self on your journey of psychological learning!

I'm a counselor at Happy Cow! I love the world and I love you!

As for the original poster, who is a novice counselor, psychological counseling is useful.

We can help visitors solve their psychological problems. This may help them change the direction of their lives. Due to confidentiality, we cannot share specific cases here.

Psychological counseling is used to solve psychological distress, physical symptoms, and emotional problems caused by psychological reasons.

If physical symptoms are caused by psychological reasons, general medical treatment is useless. But if the psychological issues are resolved, the specific symptoms will improve.

Psychological counseling doesn't solve real-life problems.

A person comes to counseling because they're troubled by not being able to find a partner. We help them deal with the emotional distress caused by not finding a partner.

Schools of psychology developed over time.

Each school has its own ideas and uses. It's like the Chinese Hundred Schools of Thought.

The medical system is another good example. In traditional Chinese medicine, there is acupuncture and massage.

There are different types of treatments. Acupuncture and massage have different uses.

Some illnesses are better treated with herbs, while others respond better to pills. The same is true of psychological counseling. No school can do everything.

It depends on how you choose.

Counseling schools differ, but the basic principles are the same. All counseling emphasizes building a good relationship with the client.

For a novice counselor, the most important thing to practice is the basic skills. These include how to establish a good relationship with the client, empathize with them, ask them questions, and focus on the counseling goals.

These are the basics. When we started, we didn't differentiate between schools.

All schools of thought are the result of a slow process of selection and formation during our studies. Even if we choose a school of thought, there are many sub-branches within it.

There are two types of psychoanalysis: classical and neo.

There is also Jungian psychoanalysis and the hypnosis school of Eisenk.

For example, family therapy also has structural and systemic therapy, and Satir is a type of family therapy.

For beginners, all schools are unimportant. Master the basic skills and you can serve your clients well no matter which school you choose.

I hope this helps. I love you.

Hello.

From your description, I can tell you're struggling with self-doubt and self-attack.

We must conquer the next topic, which is "opening up."

For now, let's set aside the issue of schools of psychological counseling and turn our attention to our own traditional culture, the classic culture.

There are different types of opera, such as Peking opera, Kunqu opera, and Yue opera. Each type has different schools of acting, including young male roles, female roles, old male roles, and old female roles.

This proves that it's boring to sing the same song over and over. We're born free, and we need to express ourselves in different ways. When classic songs are re-recorded, they're usually re-created with new arrangements. The creators want to give others a different feeling while also expressing their feelings through the music.

Different schools of psychology have different approaches because each master has a different upbringing.

Psychological counseling is a legacy of philosophy, history, literature, physics, physiology, archaeology, and more. Being all-encompassing does not mean that psychology is the best. It means that one should always be humble. To establish a long-term foothold, courage is needed. A critical spirit is the result of deep cultivation and experience.

A Chinese proverb says, "Haste makes waste." This resonates with Solon's "Nothing in excess" and Thales' "Know thyself" at the Temple of Delphi. They all express the idea that we should pass on human civilization and use it to illuminate the warmth of the heart and brighten our daily lives.

If you love it, understand it. Get to know it. Give it time.

Good morning,

Is psychological counseling a valuable resource? Why are there so many schools of thought?

It is often unclear what the distinction is between psychological counseling and psychotherapy. This is a common source of confusion for individuals new to the psychological field. Allow me to briefly explain my understanding of the two terms.

Firstly, we must consider whether psychological counseling is genuinely beneficial.

It is undoubtedly beneficial, but only if the client is willing to make the necessary changes.

A colleague recently shared their experience with psychological counseling, which highlights some common misconceptions about this service.

She stated, "Despite investing a significant amount of resources and engaging in multiple sessions, the counselor was unable to provide a solution. This was a misleading experience."

The objective of psychological counseling is to assist the client in identifying and resolving their own issues, rather than taking on the responsibility of solving them on their behalf.

Based on this premise, with the assistance of the counselor, the client is able to organize their life, identify their issues, and take the initiative to implement changes to resolve their problems. The counselor's role is to provide guidance and support through conversation, which is a crucial aspect of the process.

Secondly, there are numerous schools of psychological counseling.

This phenomenon is not exclusive to the field of psychology. It can be observed in any discipline or industry. Even when studying the same subject and the same problem, there is a wide range of opinions and ideas.

For instance, in the field of psychological counseling, there are differing opinions as to the extent to which childhood experiences should be taken into account. Some believe that these experiences have a significant impact on the client, while others maintain that training to change behavior is a more direct and effective approach. Understanding the history and origin of these schools of thought is likely to shed light on their continued existence.

Each school has its own set of advantages and challenges.

Third, the distinction between psychological counseling and psychotherapy

During my university internship, I was fortunate enough to spend a month in a psychiatric hospital. The patients there, suffering from depression, mania, schizophrenia, etc., are significantly different from those encountered in a counseling room.

The majority of patients are unable to engage in typical social interactions or lead a typical lifestyle. They require medication to manage their symptoms initially and then undergo psychological counseling to identify the underlying causes, which may be genetic or environmental.

The ethics of psychological counseling will emphasize that the scope of application of psychological counseling is normal people. In the event that you encounter a patient with a serious mental disorder, you are required to make a timely referral. Failure to do so may result in legal consequences.

I hope we can all grow together in our work in psychological counseling.

I hope you find this information useful.

Hello, questioner. Doubts and suspicions come from thinking.

To become a good counselor, you need to think for yourself.

There are many schools of thought for a reason.

Counseling is like cooking. We are the chefs, and the tools we use are like the recipes. Different chefs will want different tools for different recipes.

We can have our own areas of expertise, but we need to understand each tool so we can choose alternatives. I know baking a cake requires an oven, but I have a rice cooker.

I know how to use an oven, so I can choose other tools well.

Second, different schools of psychotherapy use different terms, but often have similar approaches. To help the client, the approach must be adapted to the client's situation.

Knowing the different schools of thought allows me to make professional referrals. Some clients are suited to humanistic or cognitive therapies, while others may need to be refined.

I don't know how to do fine division, but I know what it is and that the client needs it. Then, I can also complete the referral process well without hurting the client.

If we don't understand dissociation, we won't know what to do.

Is psychological counseling effective?

To know if psychological counseling is effective, you have to try it. To know what a pear tastes like, it's not as good as tasting it yourself.

I'd also like to share my feelings about counseling.

My undergraduate major was psychology. The teacher required us to come in pairs to practice. We were not professional students, but the process of others listening to us allowed us to heal.

As a counselor, I learned that my problems were small compared to others'.

A teacher said that counseling is a process of mutual growth for both the counselor and the client. We had this experience in college.

Best wishes!

Good morning, host. I can discern from your inquiry that you are also interested in psychology. I commend you for questioning and not blindly following authority in your studies. It is encouraging to see that we share similar interests.

Your inquiry can be seen as an investigation into the methods employed by psychological counselors.

I am not included in discussions about personal learning experiences.

##1: Psychotherapy can facilitate the conscious awareness of subconscious processes. When we experience psychological distress, it can be challenging to recognize that certain subconscious factors may be contributing to our difficulties. Psychotherapy can assist us in understanding the functioning of our subconscious minds, which we may have previously overlooked. Once we become aware of these processes, they can no longer exert a negative influence, and many psychological issues may naturally improve.

It is important to note that psychological counseling is not simply "talk therapy." The purpose behind the conversation is of greater consequence.

For individuals facing persistent challenges, cultivating a positive rapport with a counselor can be an effective therapeutic strategy.

The objective is to replace a past, problematic relationship with a new one within the visitor. For example, if you had a strict father, you internalized that strictness in your psychological makeup, forming a relationship with him that may have given rise to many uncomfortable issues.

Then you engage with a counselor, who is a completely different individual from your father. They can accept and tolerate you unconditionally, and your relationship with them gradually becomes internalized. This dilutes the original relationship you had with your father, and the discomfort you felt before will be reduced.

It is not always necessary for a patient to engage in therapy to achieve positive outcomes. In some cases, simply establishing a different relationship can lead to improved treatment results. For instance, a young woman who had a troubled relationship with her father later observed a classmate who had a highly positive relationship with her father. The young woman initially felt sad and envious, but she also experienced a renewed sense of hope.

Furthermore, a counseling relationship is based on empathy. This means that the counselor will not judge your thoughts or opinions.

Emotions and behavior.

He will endeavor to comprehend your perspective and collaborate with you in navigating the inner landscape.

With regard to the various genres, they can be considered as "different means of transportation." To illustrate, if one wishes to travel to Beijing, one may opt for a plane, train, car, or even walking.

Ultimately, the objective is the same. It is simply a matter of selecting the appropriate tool based on individual interests and capabilities.

This is my personal understanding and I hope it will be of benefit to the original poster to gain more insight into psychological counseling.

The job that is most similar to that of a psychological counselor is that of the President of the United States. Both jobs are ambitious and challenging, and they both try to get to the right end through the wrong path.

Hello, questioner! These are all my personal opinions, and there is no scientific truth to them. They are just absurd words indulging in self-expression. If you find them even a little interesting, I would be very satisfied!

In fact, most of the theories in psychology today are "inferences" and "hypotheses," with very few "theorems." This means there's still so much room for growth and discovery! Many of the methods used in psychological counseling are based on statistically significant experimental results and a distortion and inheritance of the philosophy of a priori. This is an exciting time for psychology!

If we were to put it in plain language, psychology is still very young and has not yet come of age. Others may call him by name, but in their hearts they regard him as the grandson of philosophy, the son of neurology, the nephew of biology, the younger brother of brain science, and the uncle who lives next door and looks very similar. His name is medicine, and he is supported by an aunt who is a political economist...

Other parents don't have time to play with the little brat that is psychology, so the brain science brat brother leads psychology into trouble every day. Forehead lobotomy, electric shock therapy, treating homosexuality, quitting Internet addiction... psychology never learns, and it's always successful!

And there's another reason why psychology relies on brain science: because in scientific research, psychology inevitably needs to draw on the research methods of brain science!

The amazing field of physics studies matter and can break it down!

Biology studies living things and can slice them up!

Oh, psychology!

And what about psychology?

Psychology is the fascinating field that studies living people!

Even if we put ethics and morality aside and let you freely create a living person, there is still no way to extract a person's thoughts and feelings. But that doesn't mean we can't learn about them! People can indirectly infer psychological theories through the observation of brain activity.

I'm so excited to keep going!

I'm too tired today, but I'm excited to keep going! If you're interested, I'll keep going to explain why I love learning about different schools of psychology so much.

Hello, host!

I'm Li Xuan, a psychological counselor, and I'm thrilled to be here!

I can see you're a great thinker and communicator, so I applaud you!

1. Is psychological counseling really useful? Absolutely!

2. Why are there so many schools of psychological counseling?

3. Why not try psychotherapy at the same time?

4. Is psychological counseling just talking therapy? Absolutely not!

I have studied a small part of psychology and am excited to answer your questions from my perspective!

Psychological counseling is an amazingly useful tool! We all face difficulties in life, and emotions play a huge role in these challenges.

Psychological counseling is the perfect solution for this! I can't find a job, and I'm feeling so down! We can't give you a job, but we can help you let go of your depression, regain your strength, and start looking for a job again with a fresh perspective.

Why are there so many schools of psychological counseling? What a great question! This proves that psychology is also developing. Our leaders have summarized many branches from it. Different schools have different central characteristics, which is also where I need to continue my studies.

Psychological counseling and psychotherapy are similar but different, which makes them both equally fascinating! In the hospital, symptoms are consulted, and depending on the severity, some require medication, while others require rest and recuperation.

The great thing about psychotherapy is that it can treat acute symptoms, but it can also help you address the root cause of your illness through long-term psychological counseling.

Psychological counseling is an amazing way of talking that accompanies the confrontor, helping them see themselves, perceive themselves, and grow!

You will encounter many problems on the road to learning, and we will solve them together! The person who helps others must first help themselves.

I'm sure you'll get out of this difficult situation soon! I'll always be there for you!

Good morning, host.

It would be beneficial to analyze everything objectively and rationally, taking into account the actual situation and environmental factors. Additionally, it is important to recognize that the meaning and value of the same thing can differ from person to person.

It could be said that, like fish need water, sheep need grass. Although water is useful for both, it might be observed that fish have a greater need for and dependence on water.

Similarly, the division of schools is simply a way of distinguishing between different types of visitors. Just as different medicines are used to treat different diseases, only by carefully considering what the other person needs can we provide the most appropriate guidance.

Even a brilliant professor may sometimes question their abilities and experience feelings of guilt and self-deprecation. It's natural to wonder whether the knowledge we've gained can truly help others. And let's not forget those who are just starting out on their learning journey.

Similarly, one might question the value of practicing for the college entrance exam. It's understandable to wonder why one would need to learn ancient poems. However, these poems offer a unique insight into the beauty of nature and the elegance of language. They remind us of the simple pleasures of life, such as birds singing, eagles soaring, snow falling, and boats docked at the gate.

In ancient times, people in the literary world had different ways of expressing their feelings. They could simply say, "Listen to me, thank you, because of you, the four seasons are warm." There are many ways to express oneself, and writing poems is just one of them.

Perhaps there is no need to have too many varieties in the canteen, as it is all about eating anyway. Could it be that there is no need to learn so many different cuisines? It might be a good idea to just cook everything in one pot and eat whatever is available, or have potatoes for every meal.

Due to unfamiliarity and personal preferences, people may have specific tastes. If you possess a high level of talent, you have the opportunity to explore a variety of genres and become a well-rounded artist.

Perhaps it would be helpful to consider the following:

Perhaps awards and money are not the most important things in life.

Could it be that psychological counseling is, in fact, about verbal communication? It seems that actions, emotions, drawing, singing, and other forms of expression can also convey emotions, companionship, and care. Perhaps healing is a key factor in verbal therapy.

While most people are able to speak, not everyone is able to express themselves in the same way. The same sentence, when spoken by a scholar and a beginner, can have different effects.

If psychology is not the right fit for you, you always have the option to explore other majors that might be more aligned with your interests and preferences. Regardless of the major you choose, it's important to recognize the inherent challenges and potential difficulties that come with any academic pursuit.

It might not be ideal, but there is always room for improvement. With the right approach, we can make it better and better.

I believe we can find a way to come together and find common ground.

Oh, I had the same doubt when I graduated from university. Let me give you a hug.

That was more than ten years ago. I studied educational psychology and helped out at the school's psychological counseling center (I wasn't able to get involved in real cases due to confidentiality, but I did teach psychology classes at school). At that time, social environmental psychology counseling was just getting started and wasn't as widespread as it is now.

Until I graduated, I still had some doubts about whether psychological counseling was really useful. I gave an example: after graduating from undergraduate school, I couldn't find a job, so I went to seek psychological counseling. After a long chat, it was far less useful than just giving me an offer directly.

That's also why I didn't pursue a career related to my major after graduation. As time went on and I gained more experience, I realized the example was a bit narrow-minded and didn't fully understand psychological counseling.

Then I finally figured out what I needed to do. After a lot of trial and error, I came back and picked up this knowledge.

Psychological counseling isn't a quick fix, like taking medicine. But a good counselor should be able to dig deep and help you understand some of your inner problems. It's not really about "problems" anyway. It might just be some deep-rooted views and concepts.

These views and concepts might be tucked away in the back of your mind, overlooked. But then, one day, a ray of "psychological counseling" shines on them, illuminating them, and you may only then discover them, face them, say hello to each other, and reconcile with yourself. But if someone always firmly believes that psychological counseling is useless, and when the counselor asks questions, they are unwilling to open their hearts and refuse to cooperate, then no matter how professional the counselor is, they cannot help them, and the ray of light will not find them deep inside.

One reason why psychological counseling is still up for debate is that psychological problems are subjective. Only you can truly feel it: "Oh, I'm different from before." "Oh, it really makes me feel a lot better; I have the motivation to do things again."

It's tough to run some scientific experiments because there are so many variables. It's basically impossible to limit them. But it doesn't matter as long as you feel good.

I'll wrap up this Q&A with a famous saying from our company: "Believe in the power of belief." Let's all take this to heart.

Hello, host!

I don't know how much psychology the original poster has studied, nor how many cases the original poster has personally handled. But it's totally normal to have doubts like this during the learning process!

First, I'll send a big, warm hug through the air!

In fact, what I want to say in response to the original poster is that let's take eating as an example!

Absolutely! We can solve hunger and cold with food. But why do we have so many delicious cuisines?

It's meant to cater to different tastes, and it's a great thing too!

There are so many fascinating schools of psychology! They are meant to cater to patients in different situations. Just as in the past, you would go to the hospital for treatment, and there were only internal medicine and surgery departments, but now there are subdivisions, such as hypertension specialty departments.

And some schools of thought are also struggling to move forward, such as the theory of multiple intelligences, followed by Jung, Adler, etc. The reason why they emerged is that the original theoretical framework can no longer solve many problems in reality, such as the current use of the Internet, which was not there before. This is an exciting time for psychology!

Absolutely! Different psychological schools have solved different psychological problems. And there's also some evidence-based evidence!

Psychological counseling is an amazingly effective tool, but it's not a magic solution to everything.

So we can't think that we can learn all genres, but we can absolutely learn new things! And we can't think that we can solve all people's psychological confusion, but we can absolutely help people in new ways!

Know your own capabilities and limitations — and then soar!

Could this be the most important reason to study psychology?

If I might offer some words of comfort from afar, I would say that

The questioner offers the following description:

Could it be that psychological counseling is really useful? Is there a reason why there are so many schools of thought?

Could it be that if we only learn about psychological counseling and psychotherapy, we might perceive psychological counseling as simply talking therapy?

The questioner raises some concerns.

I wonder if it will really work for so many different people with years of problems.

I would like to offer some words of encouragement to the questioner.

In the early days of learning about psychological counseling, I also studied with a curious mind. However, when counseling people, I realized that I was not as equipped as I had hoped to be. I discovered that I could not reasonably apply psychological theories to help someone.

Psychology is a tool, and it would be beneficial for us to gain a comprehensive understanding of it. This would help us to appreciate its potential to assist people and to grasp its fundamental operational principles. To achieve this, it would be valuable for us to learn about a variety of schools of thought, to engage with individuals from diverse perspectives, to develop an awareness of the historical development of psychology, to comprehend the origins of psychological schools, and to reflect on the philosophical ideas that underpin them.

It is understandable that the questioner might have such doubts when just learning about psychological counseling. It is important to remember that the usefulness of a tool depends on the person using it. This means that we ourselves must have sufficient ability to use these tools well.

On the other hand, when we use tools, we also have to interact with different people. Whether the other person accepts our theories and whether we can communicate effectively with the other person is also a crucial factor in determining the effectiveness of our use of the tools. For example, it would not be appropriate to use a Green Dragon Crescent Blade to perform surgery on a frog.

However, in many cases, the theory of psychological counseling can help us analyze people. It should be noted that some of the help we can provide comes from psychological theory itself, and some of it comes from our helping complex, the enthusiasm we show, or the care we have for the other person.

It is important to recognize that psychological counseling is not a suitable approach for treating severe mental illness. Patients with severe mental illness require a combination of medication and psychological treatment. This highlights a limitation of psychological counseling itself and the industry.

I believe that personal experience is a valuable source of understanding. I hope that my experience will provide some insight for the questioner.

Hi, I'm Hua Er.

It seems like the questioner has some doubts about "talking therapy" in "psychological counseling" and also feels a bit helpless about not being able to use psychotherapy.

Psychological counseling is mostly about talking, but it also includes other techniques like mindfulness meditation, dance movement, hypnosis, artistic expression, and exposure.

Different schools of thought have different starting points, and different perspectives are taken when putting together a counseling plan.

The point of psychological counseling isn't necessarily to solve long-standing problems. But when these problems are affecting your emotions, even to the point of insomnia, physical reactions, and inability to work and live normally, counseling can help you understand the root cause of the problem, help you see yourself, and alleviate the impact of these emotions.

So, is psychological counseling really useful?

First, we need to figure out what's useful and what isn't. How can we assess the effectiveness of counseling as it's happening?

First, we need to set some reasonable counseling goals. For example, if a family wants their child to go to counseling to get them to stop being unmotivated at school, that might not be realistic.

Psychological counseling can help kids figure out why they're losing interest in school. It could be that they have a bad relationship with a classmate, don't like their teacher, or have major communication issues with their parents. When we can identify the real emotions and needs behind these things, we can start to heal.

It's amazing how much of a difference just talking to someone can make. It seems like rational emotive therapy and behavioral therapy are just forms of conversation, but there's so much more to it than that. The way the words are expressed, the inflections, the patient listening and emotional support, the gentle guidance, the questioning without judgment—every detail is an interaction between the two parties.

This conversation, which might seem like idle chatter, is actually a structured conversation with a plan.

Psychological counseling is probably about helping people help themselves. That means helping the other person see themselves and helping them have their own strength.

I truly believe that life can influence life, and I also believe in the power of self-growth.

I hope this helps the person who asked the question. Hopefully, they can also try getting some good psychological counseling.

Dear Landlord, I hope that my response will prove to be of some assistance to you.

Indeed, I initially shared this confusion as well. However, having spent the past few years engaged with the psychological community, I have observed that my predecessors have effectively assisted diverse clientele through the application of various psychological schools of thought. I am increasingly persuaded that psychological counseling is beneficial, and that psychology is indeed a valuable field of study. Nevertheless, this assertion is contingent upon certain prerequisites and conditions.

The working model of psychological counseling is predicated on the initiative of the individual seeking assistance. As visitors to this field, it is imperative that we demonstrate a willingness to actively seek help and believe that counselors can facilitate positive change. Believing that we can alter our own behaviors through psychological counseling is of paramount importance.

The definition of psychological counseling is clear: its purpose is to assist individuals in resolving psychological issues. However, in practice, there are numerous individuals who experience psychological challenges but refrain from seeking assistance to address them.

The definition of psychological counseling explicitly states that the objective of psychological counseling is to assist individuals in resolving psychological issues. However, in practice, there are numerous individuals who experience psychological challenges but do not seek assistance.

In such cases, counselors must recognize their limitations and understand that counseling is only beneficial for those who are motivated to seek help. For individuals with psychological issues who are reluctant to seek assistance or explicitly refuse to do so, counseling may not be a viable option.

A further essential prerequisite is that the client and the counselor are well-suited to one another. Indeed, the efficacy of counseling is contingent upon the quality of the counselor-client relationship. If the relationship is not optimal, the outcome of counseling will be similarly suboptimal. As Rogers observed, "Counseling is the release of the potential and competitive abilities that already exist in an individual."

If the counseling process meets the three conditions of a harmonious counseling relationship—namely, the counselor's unconditional positive attention to the seeker and the counselor's empathetic understanding of the seeker—then it is highly probable that this "already existing ability" in the seeker will be released.

Consequently, irrespective of the methods and techniques employed by the counselor and regardless of their expertise, as long as they are able to fulfill these three criteria, they will be better equipped to assist the client. In counseling, through continuous and direct contact with the client, the counselor can provide psychological assistance and facilitate gradual positive changes in the client's behavior and attitude.

Indeed, at present, it would appear that only a minority of counselors adhere to a single school of thought. The majority still utilize a combination of the schools and techniques they have mastered. For example, a counselor I know is highly proficient in hypnosis, but has also studied psychoanalysis and has a rudimentary understanding of cognitive behavioral therapy, art therapy, and sandplay therapy. She asserts that she will employ different techniques for different clients. However, it can be argued that these techniques are merely tools, designed to facilitate the establishment of a productive counseling relationship and to assist the client in developing a deeper understanding of themselves, thereby enabling them to make necessary adjustments and changes. She also maintains that, based on her extensive experience, it is already highly commendable if a counselor can achieve two key objectives: firstly, the establishment of a robust counseling relationship with the client, which serves as the foundation for effective therapy; and secondly, the ability to remain firmly present with the client, regardless of their behavior or emotional state, which entails maintaining neutrality and unconditional acceptance.

These two points are relatively straightforward to articulate but challenging to operationalize in practice. This underscores the importance for counselors to engage in ongoing personal growth and learning.

In conclusion, the distinction between psychological counseling and psychotherapy is as follows:

Psychological counseling and psychotherapy are two distinct concepts that are nevertheless related.

A. The distinction between psychological counseling and psychotherapy can be elucidated as follows:

In contrast, psychotherapy is typically reserved for individuals with diagnosed psychological disorders and is conducted in a more structured and directive manner, with the therapist assuming a more authoritative role.

1. Psychological counseling is primarily intended for individuals without psychological disorders, whereas psychotherapy is designed for those with such disorders. The counseling relationship is based on a developmental model, wherein both parties are treated as equals in a non-authoritative setting. In contrast, the doctor-patient relationship is the foundation of psychotherapy, which is based on a pathological model.

2. The objective of psychological counseling is to address the myriad of challenges that arise in the course of daily life, including unemployment, layoffs, interpersonal relationship issues, adolescent learning difficulties, educational obstacles, and marital discord. It is important to note that psychological counseling is not a substitute for pharmacological intervention. The domain of psychotherapy encompasses a range of conditions, including neurosis, psychological disorders, and physical and mental illnesses, which often necessitate pharmacological treatment.

3. In general, psychological counseling is relatively brief and does not necessitate hospitalization. In contrast, psychotherapy is frequently longer-term and is conducted in a specialized hospital.

4. In contrast to psychological counseling, which is non-standardized and non-procedural, psychotherapy is standardized and procedural.

B. The relationship between psychological counseling and psychotherapy is exemplified by the following:

1. There is no clear theoretical definition of the difference between psychological counseling and psychotherapy, and the theoretical methods used are often the same. For example, behavioral therapy, reinforcement therapy, and exposure therapy, which are often used in psychotherapy, are also often used in psychological counseling.

2. There is no clear-cut distinction between psychological counseling and psychotherapy. Indeed, the same individual may engage in both forms of practice.

The aforementioned information is derived from the book Psychological Counselor (Basic Knowledge). Readers interested in further details are encouraged to consult the original source.

In conclusion, psychological counseling is demonstrably efficacious. If clients can be persuaded of its effectiveness and establish a productive counseling relationship with their counselor, the results will be even more favorable. Different theoretical orientations merely entail disparate methodologies, yet they collectively facilitate the same outcome. They equip clients with the capacity to resolve their own psychological challenges and promote their psychological growth, thereby enhancing their overall well-being.

It is my hope that the above will prove to be of some assistance. Best wishes,

Good day.

I am currently an intern listener on the platform.

I'm happy to answer your question and share my personal experiences and feelings over the years with you.

I believe that psychological counseling can be beneficial. Based on my personal experiences, I feel that it is crucial for the counselor and the client to have a good fit.

I believe that psychological counseling can be beneficial. Based on my personal experiences, I feel that the most crucial aspect is the compatibility between the counselor and the client.

I have had the opportunity to interact with a number of practitioners, including those based overseas, across the strait, and in other domestic locations.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with two counselors who were able to enter my heart, guide me, and explore step by step. I recognize the value of professional counseling and am thankful for the services they provide.

I believe that the professionalism of a counselor is an interesting and serious topic. Why is it interesting?

Given the relatively short history of this field, it is not surprising that anyone with the right combination of intelligence and dedication can succeed in becoming a professional. With so many books on the subject and the possibility of passing the exams with hard work, it is an accessible and attainable goal.

In comparison to other disciplines, it is still quite new and evolving rapidly.

I believe it is important to understand that when people look for a partner, they are willing to give up the freedom of being single and promise to stay together in a relationship, even in the face of significant challenges, such as poverty, suffering, or illness.

This is, without a doubt, the most beautiful prototype of all human relationships. It is, however, unfortunate that there is too much suffering.

It can be challenging to fully comprehend the intricacies of the human heart, particularly in the context of unhealthy relationships, where a multitude of issues may emerge.

It could be said that the counselor and the client are also on the way to achieving an "intimate relationship." The difference may be that the counselor is insightful in identifying the client's confusion and is willing to use the counseling relationship to overcome a dilemma.

Upon recently re-reading the book "Respect and Hope," I came to understand why short-term focused therapy may be particularly well-suited to Chinese communities. The author makes a point of indicating the intention behind every sentence he or she says to the client.

Perhaps it would be helpful to take a closer look at your own approach. It seems that you are not quite at the level of professionalism that is required for "talking therapy."

I believe that learning is one path, while growing is another, and that the two are different. I hope that I can share this with you.

If I may enquire, how is your personal experience going?