RPL do not encourage the blurring of distinctions between counselling and therapy. Some counsellors can deal with issues stemming from our subconscious, or within the transpersonal/spiritual dimension. But it is our view that they do not have the competence or experience to undertake the longer journey of self-exploration because their training does not require them to undergo this for themselves. They may be able to talk about and briefly apply some therapeutic models. But the duration of depth work, the ability to stay with and move through stuck places, the understanding of destructive and creative instincts in conflict (idealised and negative transference), require an in-depth and rigorous self-discipline from therapists.

For this reason, many counsellors aspire to the title of therapist, but may not be able to deliver the long and deep work required. Counsellors will also shrink back from addressing the issue of personality re-structuring, preferring to talk about repeating patterns and delivering some emotional relief and problem solving around areas of self-image.

As with all qualifications, it is not necessarily the therapists accreditation, but the sense they give you about clarity of working models and sense of connectedness with you that will indicate their ability to work with your past history. It may take around 15-20 sessions before you truly know whether you can commit to the rest of the exploration required for personality re-structuring, which is the therapeutic goal at RPL.