Psychological counseling is not a medical treatment and should not be!
Non-medical psychological counseling refers to a form of counseling that aims to help people maintain their mental health, cope with life crises and provide primary prevention of mental illness. In contrast to psychotherapy, which focuses on the treatment of mental disorders, psychological counseling focuses on the promotion of well-being and personal development.
In contrast to psychotherapy, which is an activity aimed at identifying, curing or alleviating disorders with disease value, psychological counseling is about helping mentally healthy people with specific life problems and/or developing strategies to maintain mental health. It supports and advises individuals, couples, families, teams and groups in developing solutions to achieve positive change, and advises, supports and accompanies these groups of people in decision-making and problem situations.
An important aspect of psychological counseling is the strengthening of individual resources and abilities. The counselor supports the client in identifying and promoting their strengths and potential.
New perspectives are opened up and solutions developed through targeted discussions using various counseling methods and exercises. The client is encouraged to use their own resources and actively tackle change.
Psychological counseling can be helpful in various areas of life. It can help people to improve their relationships, overcome professional challenges, reduce stress, overcome non-pathological fears and boost self-esteem. It can also provide support in coping with loss, separation or other life crises and in stressful phases of life.
Another important aspect of psychological counseling is the primary prevention of mental illness. By receiving support at an early stage and learning how to deal with stress and strain, people can reduce the risk of developing mental disorders. Psychological counseling can help people become more resilient and better able to cope with life's challenges.
It is important to emphasize that psychological counselling outside the field of medicine is not a substitute for medical or psychotherapeutic treatment. In the case of mental illness or acute crises, it is advisable to seek professional help. However, psychological counseling can be a valuable addition to such treatment.
Verband psychologischer Berater is committed to promoting the quality and professionalism of psychological counseling outside of the medical profession. Our members have in-depth training and regular further training to ensure that they can offer their clients the best possible support.
If you are interested in psychological counseling or would like more information, our members will be happy to assist you. Contact us today to make an appointment and strengthen your mental health.