What is the difference between counselling and therapy?
Therapy is intervention that is intended to relieve suffering. Gurmat is a therapy, as it is designed to address the root cause of human suffering, the unrefined, unhealthy, self-destructive ego-complex.
Counselling is a type of talking therapy that allows a person to talk about their problems and feelings in a confidential and dependable environment
Counselling and Psychotherapy are often considered to be interchangeable therapies that overlap with each other.
What is the difference between Gurmat therapeutic counselling and other models?
Gurmat is different from Western and other psychological models in many ways including:-
The Gurmat worldview is significantly different from the materialistic, mechanical and dualistic model of the universe and life as accidents;
Gurmat is based on mind-body connection, with consciousness as the ground of being
Gurmat has a sophisticated understanding of the nature of the mind, consciousness, ego-complex and psycho-physiology
The Gurmat approach to the mind is, first and foremost, one of seeing its infinite potential for development.
Gurmat is consciousness focused in contrast to other models that are ego focused
Gurmat considers the human being as a psycho-spiritual continuum
In contrast to other models approach to “ego-fixing”, Gurmat recognises the ego-complex as the root of suffering
Gurmat offers a practical approach to cultivation of healthy ego, before providing a sophisticated model for transpersonal development and growth
Gurmat goes beyond the ego-complex towards consciousness, while other models
Western psychology, including other models are concerned with understanding and influencing behaviour, and personality, while Gurmat is concerned with subjective transformation expressed as cultivated positive psychological states .
Gurmat is awareness based approach (Mindfulness)
Gurmat encompasses the growth and development of human potential beyond ego development and ego-fixation.
Gurmat provides a comprehensive and tested approach to human development through far reaching understanding of Existence, human potential and practical processes including correct-mindfulness, transcendental meditation practices & activities designed to help transcend ego-centric based activities.
At a psychological level, these experiential practices and teachings transform worldview, enable the cultivation of positive emotions of contentment, mental tranquillity, compassion, self-compassion, gratitude, refined intellect, expressed through ethical and self-aware behaviour.
Do i have to be a Sikh to be on the Gurmat therapeutic counselling course?
No! The Gurmat worldview is pan-human, it addresses the very nature of suffering, that is the mind, which each and every human being possesses, irrespective of religions, beliefs and cultures. The Gurmat courses are designed to reflect the universality core of begin human.
What qualifications do i need to become a Gurmat counsellor?
According to the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, “Counselling is not a statutorily regulated profession which means the title of ‘counsellor’ is not protected by law. However, there are recognised benchmarks for practitioner training set by the professional bodies and awarding bodies which are associated with entry to practitioner registers and with opportunities for employment.