Counselling is a talking therapy between a client and a professionally trained therapist with the purpose of helping the client to address and deal with emotional issues.
A counsellor is non-directive (not there to tell you what to do or to sort out problems for you).
Counselling does offer a safe and confidential space to address your issues, in a non-judgemental, non-critical and empathic way. Therapy is offered with the intent of building a mutual rapport and trust, for you to be truly listened to and be supported to gain a better understanding of your self by processing your thoughts and emotions to find solutions to your issues.
Confidentiality and the limitations to this will be fully explained at the start of therapy, for you to enter into the sessions in confidence of your privacy being protected.
Counselling is usually 50-60 minutes in duration and takes place once a week. Some clients prefer to change the frequency to fortnightly.
This is very similar to counselling; however, psychotherapy it is underpinned by the Psychodynamic approach that facilitates a client to look further into their past to explore and establish how historic experiences are impacting on them in the present.
For clinical therapists and those working in a helping/supportive role, in line with professional governing bodies requirements, for safe and ethical practice.
Mediation provides the opportunity for two parties, or more, in dispute to endeavour to find resolution through the support of an impartial third party (the mediator). This is supported through a confidential, interactive and structured process using specialised negotiation and communication techniques. This process primarily focuses on the interests, needs and rights of all parties. Using open communication skills and varying techniques as appropriate, the mediator aims to guide the process constructively in a positive direction to help all parties to improve dialogue and empathy. A mediator is a facilitator and evaluator of the interaction between the parties and while refraining from advising the parties what to do (e.g., "You must/ should..."), can assist them in reaching an amicable solution to their dispute.
Please note - Mediation is not Couples or Relationship therapy.