The main difference between debriefing and counselling is that debriefing provides emotional and psychological support immediately following a traumatic event, whereas counselling allows people an opportunity to explore their thoughts and feelings in more depth and seek the changes they want in their life.
Both debriefing and counselling involve discussions with a trained professional for emotional support. However, there is a distinct difference between debriefing and counselling.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Debriefing
– Definition, Features
2. What is Counselling
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Debriefing and Counselling
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Debriefing, Counselling
What is Debriefing
Debriefing, psychological debriefing to be precise, is a set of procedures providing emotional and psychological support immediately following a traumatic event. The main goal of debriefing is to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder and other negative consequences. Debriefing usually takes place within the first few days after the traumatic event, and each session may last for about two to three hours. Moreover, debriefing typically involves procedures that promote and normalize emotional expression. It’s also important to note that debriefing is often provided in groups.
Debriefing structured group meeting that includes both psychological and educational benefits. Discussions during debriefing allow participants to talk about their survivors’ emotions and distress. Through group sessions, participants can also experience others who have had similar experiences and reactions. According to the American Counselling Association, debriefing moves from cognitive processing to emotional processing back to cognitive processing. Debriefing should always be done away from the site of the crisis, preferably in a safe facility. Debriefing is the first step to help people process their direct involvement with traumatic events. Counsellors engaged in debriefing must have specific training prior to interacting with participants.
What is Counselling
Counselling is a form of ‘talking therapy’ where an individual, couple, or a group meet with a trained professional to discuss their problems in a safe, confidential environment. It allows people an opportunity to explore their thoughts and feelings in more depth and seek the changes they want in their life. People use counselling for many reasons; some of these include school or career concerns, relationship difficulties, stress management, coping with traumatic events, mental disorders, major life changes, and organizational problems.
Counsellors do not tell their clients what they should do to solve their problems, but they will encourage clients to talk about their issues and discover the roots of the problem. Using this method, counsellors can create a plan of action to help their clients to reconcile their issues or find a way to cope with their issues. Moreover, counselling sessions may change from individual to individual, and they may take various forms, including face-to-face sessions, individual sessions, group sessions, couple sessions, telephone counselling sessions, and online counselling sessions.
Difference Between Debriefing and Counselling
Definition
Debriefing is a set of procedures providing emotional and psychological support immediately following a traumatic event, while counselling is a form of ‘talking therapy’ where an individual, couple, or a group meet with a trained professional to discuss their problems in a safe, confidential environment.
Causes
Moreover, debriefing is based on a traumatic event, whereas counselling is based on school or career concerns, relationship difficulties, stress management, coping with traumatic events, mental disorders, major life changes, organizational problems, etc.
Participants
Debriefing typically involves group sessions, whereas counselling can involve individual, couple, or group sessions.
Sessions
A session in debriefing may usually last for about two to three hours, whereas a counselling session usually lasts for around one hour.
Conclusion
The main difference between debriefing and counselling is that debriefing provides emotional and psychological support immediately following a traumatic event, whereas counselling allows people an opportunity to explore their thoughts and feelings in more depth and seek the changes they want in their life.
Reference:
1. “Debriefing.” American Counseling Association.
2. “What Is Counselling?” Counselling Directory.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Relax_relaxation_hands_group_of_people_therapy-641914” (CC0) via Pxhere
2. “A patient undergoing therapy” By AdAstra77 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
Leave a Reply