When dealing with workplace mistreatment, it’s easy to feel trapped. Helpless. Like it’s you against the world (or at minimum, a nasty boss or co-worker). Even when your situation feels overwhelming, it’s important to remember that you are not alone in the battle to stay healthy and grounded.
You may have family members or friends who are sources of support, but your most powerful ally in overcoming workplace trauma may be a trained professional, especially a therapist. Even when we have a good idea of what we need to do to help ourselves, taking the steps to do so can be daunting.
It’s often advisable to get in touch with someone whose career is based on supporting and assisting folks experiencing trauma, a rough patch, or anything else impacting their day to day.
However, it can be overwhelming to figure out just who to talk to. Should you call up a therapist? A counselor? Alife coach? How do these professionals differ, and how do you choose?
In this article, we’ll explore the differences between psychotherapy, counseling, and coaching to help you make a decision and address your workplace challenges.
PSYCHOTHERAPY
If you were asked to describe a mental health professional helping a client, chances are you’d think of a person lying on a long couch while a bespectacled, austere doctor takes notes on a clipboard.
This is the typical perception of psychotherapy, and although it is partially correct, psychotherapy isn’t just Freud lookalikes and cushy couches.
Psychotherapy has been around for hundreds of years and has evolved over time to be modern and practical; in fact, psychotherapy may be the best way forward for people looking to cope with mistreatment and trauma in the workplace.
The American Psychological Association (APA) defines psychotherapy as a psychological service provided by a trained professional. It involves communication and interaction to assess, diagnose, and treat emotional, cognitive, and behavioral dysfunctions.
There are two key points in this definition. First, psychotherapists must be thoroughly trained and licensed, ensuring oversight and regulation. They must complete a supervised training period, usually lasting two to three years. Only then can they qualify for a license.
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