Holistic counselling, and how it differs from psychology
Holistic counselling is talking work that also takes in sleep, eating, movement and the body's response to stress, rather than treating the mind as if it were separate. Sessions are usually an hour and the work is directed at a specific difficulty.
It suits relationship difficulty, grief, work stress, and periods of change where the problem is a situation rather than a diagnosis.
Two distinctions worth having clear. Counsellors are not AHPRA-registered — look for registration with the Australian Counselling Association or membership of PACFA, both of which require supervised hours. And counselling does not attract a Medicare rebate: if you need a diagnosis, a report, or medication, you need a psychologist or a psychiatrist, and your GP is the way in.
