Talk therapy, Psychological vs psychotherapeutic treatment

Clients often ask what the difference is between psychological and psychotherapeutic treatment. They are two different approaches to a person’s psyche — there are some similarities, such as the development of tools and strategies, but there are also some important differences.

Psychological treatment is more short-term, as it mainly focuses on strategies to help a person in the moment. Because it is short-term, it can only briefly look at underlying causes. This type of treatment can take from a few weeks, to months, to complete. Many people access psychological services through Medicare and/or private insurance.

Michaela utilises psychological therapy with clients to develop strategies to manage situations such as high levels of stress, post-pandemic adjustment, depression, anxiety and relationship difficulties. She also works with people who have ADHD and/or ASD symptoms, to develop strategies and tools to manage their daily lives.

Psychotherapeutic treatment goes more in‑depth. It is suitable for clients who want to understand themselves better and on a deeper level. This type of therapy requires a good level of commitment and the ability to accept that change takes time — it can last from a few months, to years, depending on what each client wants to achieve.

Michaela’s approach is holistic: this means that she examines each person’s difficulties within the broader context of their life, including their relationships and environment. This also involves looking at societal influences and some existential topics.