C.H.A.R.L.E.E. Family Care, Inc.

What is counseling?

 

Counseling is broadly thought of as giving advice. It is used synonymously with a number of other terms, such as therapy, talk therapy, psychotherapy, behavioral health, behavioral healthcare, and life coaching. In some sense, it is true that each of these words or phrases deals with giving advice; but then again, our friends do that. Does this make a friend a counselor? Absolutely yes! It must be understood, however, that a friend, a therapist, a psychiatrist, and a life coach each have unique skills and qualifications to contribute to a counseling experience. This truth makes it very important for you to carefully choose which type of counseling you desire and believe will assist you in reaching your goals of health and wellness.

 

Therapists, a title that encompasses a number of mental health professionals, provide counseling services usually from a psychosocial basis within their own, professionally developed style. Generally, therapists are trained in psychiatric (e.g., mood-related, psychotic, and cognitive) disorders,  psychological (e.g., grief, family, and marital) challenges, and the respective treatment options for each. Therapists are largely the most common providers of counseling services, but not the only.

 

Life coaches are not degreed, licensed, or supervised counselors. Some of them do receive training, but no training is required to call oneself a life coach. There are benefits to the life coaching relationship, but there are also limitations. For example, life coaches are not thoroughly trained to deal with mental, emotional, or relational issues. As a consumer, your research efforts are critical in determining if life coaching will meet your needs.

 

Psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and psychiatric physician assistants are trained in psychiatry, which is a branch of medicine that deals with the science and practice of treating mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders, especially as originating in endogenous causes or resulting from faulty interpersonal relationships. Some of these clinicians serve as therapists and provide talk-therapy for their patients. Others strictly follow the traditional medical model of healthcare that identifies a disease and prescribes a medication to treat the disease. Again, you will have to determine if a psychiatric provider is the right professional for you.

 

C.H.A.R.L.E.E. Family Care, Inc. employs and networks with various qualified counseling professionals (including those listed above) who emphasize whole-person treatments that may or may not involve prescription medications. Our counselors are trained in holistic care options and provisions that address the whole person. More than traditional counseling or therapy, we help you heal and improve your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.