What is Counselling, Clinical Psychology and Counselling Psychology?

At One Allan Park Wellbeing Clinic, Stirling, our Talking Therapies/ Mental Health  team consists of expert Counsellors, Clinical Psychologists and Counselling Psychologists who can help with almost any issue.

The different terms can seem confusing. Yet, they all refer to the process of meeting with a trained professional to help you manage personal issues.

  • A Counsellor has specific training in counselling theory and skills, as well as clinical experience of face-to-face counselling. Counsellors usually conduct short and medium-term work.
  • A Psychotherapist is also trained in counselling skills and theory, but generally works in greater depth. Psychotherapy is often medium to long-term.
  • A Counselling or Clinical Psychologist has similar training to a counsellor or psychotherapist, but also holds a degree in Psychology.
    •   What is Clinical Psychology?
      • Clinical Psychologists are trained to work with people who have a variety of mental health difficulties in order to improve their emotional wellbeing and mental health. In addition to an undergraduate degree in psychology, Clinical Psychologists have completed a 3-year doctorate which involves formal teaching, research, and training placements within the NHS, supervised by a Clinical Psychologist.
      • Clinical Psychologists are trained to use evidence based psychological therapies.  They provide individually tailored interventions depending on a person’s needs and goals for therapy.  Sessions with a Clinical Psychologist will involve an in depth assessment of life events and the problems which have brought a person to therapy. This will be followed by the development of a formulation (which is a shared understanding of the problems, including contributing factors, patterns and unhelpful cycles which people can often find themselves stuck in). The Clinical Psychologist will then help the person develop and learn the skills necessary to work towards their goals.
      • Clinical Psychologist is a protected title meaning that anyone practising as a Clinical Psychologist must hold a doctorate, be registered with Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC), and adhere to the ethical and clinical professional codes of practice set by the British Psychological Society and HCPC.
  • A Psychiatrist is a medically-trained professional who offers diagnostic assessment and a treatment programme which could include drugs or psychological therapy. We do not currently have a Psychiatrist on the Team.

Reasons to seek Talking Therapy:

People who seek counselling and psychological therapy in Stirling are ordinary people struggling with ordinary, everyday issues. Most of them simply seek guidance on identifying specific goals for issues they want to work on, or to learn effective strategies that will make their life better and healthier.

Here are the top 11 most common issues that people have successfully dealt with through counselling and talking therapy in Stirling.

  • Anxiety issues
  • Anger management
  • Life transition
  • Chronic stress
  • Self-esteem issues
  • Behavioural Issues
  • Compulsions and Addictions
  • Relationship problems
  • Grief, Bereavement and Loss
  • Mental Health Problems
  • Child behavioural issues