Counseling psychology is a field contained within applied psychology that utilizes not only psychology principles but incorporates the behavioral sciences, human resources techniques, clinical, and school psychology as well. Counseling is primarily considered a service provided by a professional with special qualifications that uses psychological and behavioral science to improve the lives of clients by focusing on the decisions they make and planning improved roles in their social environments.

Hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation with a trained therapist to achieve a heightened level of focus and concentration to address specific issues or habits. Hypnosis is usually considered an aid to psychotherapy counseling or therapy, because the hypnotic state allows people to explore painful thoughts, feelings, and memories they might have hidden from their conscious minds. 

A life coach is an accredited professional who helps a client to make productive life changes with the aim of attaining goals. This is generally accomplished by knowing the important questions to ask to catalyze progress in life. A successful life coach will become a motivator, strategist, and accountability partner. Life coaches can help clients reach goals in the most efficient, effective, and rewarding way possible from planning to execution personally and professionally. Most life coaches have weekly conversations with their clients with the goal of sharing expertise to reach achievements more quickly through the introduction of new ways of thinking. Often referred to as helicopter vision, a life coach is able to share a bird’s eye perspective with the client and bring about positive results with impressive speed.

Psychologists are trained professionals that have a doctorate level degree who conduct research, perform testing, and evaluate and treat a full range of emotional and psychological issues. Psychologists utilize either individual sessions or group therapy and can work with patients of any age. Some of the more common types of issues addressed are depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and helping students become more effective in the classroom by evaluating and treating many different learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, cognitive deficiencies, head injuries, and stroke symptoms. Psychologists can also help individuals improve communication skills, increase productivity, and improve job satisfaction. Many performers such as athletes, actors, and musicians use psychologists to improve concentration, reduce anxiety, and improve performance. Psychologists are also frequently consulted to provide expert testimony in court cases. Psychologists are often consulted when aspects of human behavior and behavioral change are the primary issues.

Psychotherapy which is sometimes referred to as talk therapy is a variety of treatment techniques that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Most psychotherapy takes place with a licensed and trained mental health care professional and a patient meeting one on one or with other patients in a group setting. Psychotherapy can help patients live happier, healthier, and more productive lives using evidence based psychiatric procedures that draw upon many different disciplines in the realm of psychology. Cognitive, behavioral, interpersonal, and many other forms of talk therapy are utilized to help patients work through a litany of problems. Psychotherapy is primarily a dialogue between a qualified psychologist and a patient.

Somatic Therapy is a promising modality for treating psychological trauma. The term somatic evolved from the Greek term soma which means the living body. Somatic therapy is a holistic treatment in that it studies the relationship between psychology and physical health. The underlying belief is that past traumatic events disrupt the autonomic nervous system (ANS). This can result in physical pain, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, sexual dysfunction, immune system dysfunction, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, addiction, and a litany of other issues. The goal is to incorporate a person’s mind, body, spirit, and emotions in the healing process.