Questions and answers

Although in Hungarian we most often use the word “tanácsadás” (in English: counselling), during the process the psychologist rarely gives advice directly.

Instead, the complex communication that takes place in psychological sessions, and the counsellor’s targeted interventions, ultimately help the client recognise which steps and decisions bring them closer to a deeper sense of identity, inner harmony and self-acceptance — and support them in those steps.

The professional providing psychological counselling (consultation) (the counsellor) provides the service to the person using it (the client) in accordance with their best professional knowledge and preparedness.

Both aim to intervene in a person’s inner, psychological processes, but there are differences between them.

The counselling process is mental-health, self-knowledge and personal-development work, and it does not replace psychiatric or clinical psychological treatment. If factors arise that call for a different kind of care (medical, medication, group work, etc.) or for another professional to be involved, the counsellor may close the counselling process and refer the client to more suitable care and to another specialist. Using that care is then the client’s responsibility.

Psychotherapy may become necessary in more severe mental conditions and psychological difficulties, and it is typically longer than a counselling process. Psychotherapy belongs more to healthcare, whereas psychological counselling is generally used by people who are psychologically healthy but facing a more serious challenge in their current life situation, or who simply wish to develop.

Although in Hungarian we most often use the word “tanácsadás” (in English: counselling), during the process the psychologist rarely gives advice directly.

Instead, the complex communication that takes place in psychological sessions, and the counsellor’s targeted interventions, ultimately help the client recognise which steps and decisions bring them closer to a deeper sense of identity, inner harmony and self-acceptance — and support them in those steps.

The professional providing psychological counselling (consultation) (the counsellor) provides the service to the person using it (the client) in accordance with their best professional knowledge and preparedness.

Both aim to intervene in a person’s inner, psychological processes, but there are differences between them.

The counselling process is mental-health, self-knowledge and personal-development work, and it does not replace psychiatric or clinical psychological treatment. If factors arise that call for a different kind of care (medical, medication, group work, etc.) or for another professional to be involved, the counsellor may close the counselling process and refer the client to more suitable care and to another specialist. Using that care is then the client’s responsibility.

Psychotherapy may become necessary in more severe mental conditions and psychological difficulties, and it is typically longer than a counselling process. Psychotherapy belongs more to healthcare, whereas psychological counselling is generally used by people who are psychologically healthy but facing a more serious challenge in their current life situation, or who simply wish to develop.