What is Holistic Counselling

Holistic Counselling is about working with you on specific areas and issues but also seeing the interwoven connections to understand the root causes of what you experience. It’s supporting you in coming home into yourself, to experience peace and deep rest within.

It’s like normal counselling but deeper, more soul-nourishing and incorporates the uniqueness of your therapist.

What can a Holistic Counsellor help me with?

Holistic Counsellors can provide support and guidance with a range of personal and life situations and challenges, including but not limited to:

• Anxiety and depression
• Stress and overwhelm
• Loneliness and loss of connection
• Understanding repeating life patterns
• Lack of direction, joy and/or spark in life
• Limiting beliefs and self-sabotaging behaviours
• Making changes and transitions in life, health, career, study
• Self-awareness and understanding
• Self-esteem and personal growth
• Improving communication and relationship skills
• Healthy mind habits and coping tools for life

Do I need to have a problem to see a Holistic Counsellor?

No, you do not need to have a problem to see a Holistic Counsellor. The lead-up to booking your appointment with a therapist doesn’t always come from an underpinning feeling of something is wrong. 

Sometimes it can be: 

• an event that has caused grief, loss, or change in any area of your life (eg. career, health, relationships, life milestones, financial)
• a noticing of needing something more in life such as a vision, purpose, direction
• a need for more skills, knowledge, resources and/or tools to help with a current phase or situation of life or to propel you forward into the next
• a wanting to improve communication and relationship skills 
• a desire to know and understand yourself better. 

The truth is holistic counselling isn’t just for the ‘depressed’, the ‘anxious’ or the ‘traumatised’, as many may have previously believed. In honesty, it’s for anyone and everyone.

What is the difference between a psychologist, psychotherapist, counsellor and holistic counsellor?

Today there are many similar functions between these roles. The key differences are the length of study, training provider, qualifications and governing boards. And lastly, who they are as a person and how they intertwine this into their services.

Psychologists

Registered Psychologists undergo six years of university study and supervised training which tends to follow more of a medical framework. It is a regulated profession.

“Psychologists have special training in diagnosis and assessment, and they tend to support people with more severe mental health problems… If you went to see a psychologist, they would probably do quite a comprehensive assessment to begin with, whereas a counsellor would begin by listening and discussing what your goals are.” Dr Tristan Snell, a counselling psychologist and senior lecturer in psychology at Deakin University.

Psychologists may also have qualifications in psychotherapy and counselling. 

Psychotherapists

Psychotherapists usually have three to four years of training, and most will go through their own personal period of psychotherapy to ensure they have the self-awareness to support others in this process. Psychotherapy is a self-regulated profession. 

Psychotherapists help with psychological issues that have built up throughout your life. They assist clients in exploring and understanding aspects of themselves, and how their childhood and life circumstances have shaped and influenced them to this day. 

Psychotherapists often have additional qualifications in psychology or counselling. 

Counsellors

Counsellors generally complete at least one to two years of study (depending on the training organisation) to obtain their qualifications. It is a self-regulated profession. 

“Counsellors adopt a more person-centred approach and are experts in listening and helping people achieve their personal goals. Counsellors help people tackle problems in a positive way by helping to clarify issues, explore options and develop strategies. They don’t tend to do a diagnosis or assessment, but they will support people with mild to moderate symptoms of mental illness.” Dr Tristan Snell, a counselling psychologist and senior lecturer in psychology at Deakin University.

Holistic Counsellors

Holistic Counsellors complete at least 18 months to 2 years of study (depending on the training organisation) to obtain their qualifications. Like psychotherapists, they will likely go through their own period of holistic counselling to ensure they have the self-awareness to support others in this process. Again, it is a self-regulated profession. 

Holistic Counsellors have the same approach and skills as Traditional Counsellors, however, will also look at a person’s situation and understand it in relation to the whole being – heart, body, mind and soul; and the relationship to the world in which they live. 

Instead of seeing someone or something in need of fixing, they look deeper into the individual and their world and aim to uncover the underlying causes, patterns and/or beliefs of what is presenting and help the individual grow self-awareness, inner strength and acceptance to enhance their emotional well-being and move their life forward. 

Holistic Counsellors are likely to incorporate their strengths, experience and training in different modalities into therapy programs/sessions. 

There are many similar functions between a psychologist, psychotherapist, counsellor and holistic counsellor, so how do I know who I need to see? 

This is something that only you can answer, however you may like to discuss with your healthcare practitioner and/or trusted friend or family member. 

It’s a good idea to do some research prior to your booking as you will find different professionals have different strengths, training, tools and techniques depending on their own experiences, learnings and interests. Some therapists will also offer a complimentary phone conversation to help you see if they are the right fit for you. 

Can I still have sessions with a holistic counsellor if I am already seeing a psychologist?

Yes, you can still see a counsellor if you are seeing a psychologist. It can be a great way to complement your treatment, as the focus of your sessions may be different to the therapy you are receiving. It can widen your support network and provide additional tools and resources to guide and support you. 

How will I know if you are the right therapist for me?

Finding a therapist who works for you and your situation is important. Sometimes it can be divine intervention, a referral or simple google search that brought you to this page. 

Firstly I encourage you to look around this website, read about me here and perhaps check out some social media posts to see if my approach resonates with you. Alternatively, you can send me an email with your questions or book a complimentary call to get to know me and my approach better. 

You may also like to keep these questions in mind at our first session:

• How easy is it to talk to her?
• Does she seem like somebody I can trust?
• Do I feel safe and comfortable with her?
• Do I like her and her approach?
• Does she seem confident and competent?
• Is she really listening to me?
• Could I ever show her the deepest, ugliest parts of myself?

Sometimes it may take more than one session to decide and that’s okay. Use this therapeutic relationship as a way to practise open, honest communication and express your needs and feelings so that we can create a mutual understanding and pathway forward – whether that is with us working together or discussing other options or therapists that may suit you better. 

How do I book a Holistic Counselling session with you?

Simply use the online booking system here or email us at info@amydoyle.com.au to book a session or ask any questions. or head over to our main page to learn more Here