Muriel Lahor

	Psychotherapy or Counseling

	Purpose Psychotherapy can be helpful when interactions between a person and its environment have become problematic or when the connection between a person's different parts, i.e. physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual are distorted. The primary agent of change is self-knowledge and self-awareness to work towards personal growth and self-actualisation. This means that a person aims for healing of traumas, gaining sovereignty in life, emotional competence, integrity and authenticity and an increased responsibility for oneself and others. An Integrative Approach Integrative psychotherapy is an eclectic approach, bringing together various belief systems. Ideas or techniques from theoretical frameworks, such as Gestalt, Psychosynthesis, Neuro-linguistic programming, Systemic, Contextual and Jungian backgrounds will be used interchangeably. That is because an integrative method is based on the belief that no one theory holds all the answers and that by integrating them, "blind spots" will be reduced. It is as if the therapist has a set of varying "lenses". Apart from using different traditions, work will also be done to integrate the whole person, that is body, emotions, cognition and spirituality. In order to tap into these different aspects of a person, exploration can be assisted by meditation and visualisation, drama, intuitive drawing and painting, music and stories. The Humanistic Philosophy This "many ways of looking" is ascribed to by the humanistic philosophy in the sense that humanists attempt to incorporate the lessons from all these theories. This fundamental respect for diversity is also at the basis of the Humanistic core belief that every person is unique. Humanists have a positive view on people, in that they believe that every person has the capability to fulfill their potential for self-actualisation, authenticity, responsibility, freedom and fulfillment. They also value the whole person and think that the people themselves are their own experts. The most important "tool" for change is the therapeutic relationship itself and Humanists regard this as a two-way process with mutual responsibility. The therapist will adopt an attitude of congruence, authenticity and unconditional positive regard. The therapy will be built around each individual's uniqueness and specific needs, ensuring that methods used will be the most suitable. It is also the task of the therapist to offer adequate boundaries and security so that exploration can take place in a safe setting. Counseling Counseling is generally shorter and less deep than therapy. That is because it usually focuses on a specific issue and less on the past. Counseling can also be more practical, such as working on the style of communication and learning. To be more assertive. Here again, self-knowledge is the key to increasing control over one's life. In practice, the boundary between therapy and counseling is often blurred and the one can run into the other.