What is Person Centred Counselling?
Counselling That Makes a Difference
Everyday we are pushed and pulled in all kinds of directions because of family, work and relationships. Sometimes things happen to us in life that can deeply affect us for whatever reason and therefore can find it difficult to open up to friends and family members about these problems. As a result, we may not be able to make sense of our behaviours and emotions on our own.
Counselling can help bridge the gap and reconnect you to your thoughts and feelings. By creating an empathic and trusting therapeutic relationship together, you are invited to share the inner most thoughts and feelings that may be blocking your path somehow. Maybe you do not know what is in your way and want to work through what is on your mind with someone in confidence and without judgement. My private counselling space can facilitate exploring and making sense of your thoughts and feelings. In turn this may enable you to feel more empowered and in control of your life. Through our work together, you really are free to grow and be who you truly are.
How can Person Centred Counselling help you?
The purpose of this style of counselling can:
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Help you reconnect with your inner self without the influence of others
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Assist in exploration of your feelings
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Help you cope better with day-today stresses
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Address patterns of thinking and understand your inner critical voice
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Facilitate in discovering your true and best potential
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Create a safe space in which you are encouraged to be open and honest with the areas in which you can change
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Help you recognise your own strength, explore your identity and what it means to be you
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Help you feel heard and understood
Carl Rogers, the founder of Person Centred therapy believed that the safe unique theraputic relationship that is built on trust and confidentiality, can be created by three main conditions: unconditional positive regard, empathy and congruence.
As an experienced person centred counsellor, I offer my clients these three core conditions to help facilitate theraputic healing and growth. Explore with me in the following section how these three core conditions might feel like to you and that if taken outside the counselling room, could help you facilitate healthier relationships not only with others, but more importantly, with yourself.
Unconditional Positive Regard
Positively valuing you as a whole person
Acceptance and warmth shown to all parts of the client, unconditionally.
"I dont have to pretend to be something I'm not"
"I dont have to water down my feelings to protect someone else feelings...but be challenged when unhelpful thoughts or behaviours persist"
Empathy
Deeply feeling & sensing the clients unique experience
Feeling a deep understanding of your experience by stepping into your shoes to really understand how life is for you from your frame of reference. Sometimes sensing and reflecting to you something on the edge of your own awareness can create a feeling of empathy which in turn strengthen the trust within the counselling relationship and enrich your own awareness of self.
Empathy is difficult to define. It is a process, It is a process of being with the client.
Congruence
Responding to you openly and genuinely
A feeling of genuineness, authenticity, transparency and realness between the therapist and the client. Reflecting honest and truthful experiences in a non-judgemental way from the counsellors perspective.
This important core condition can help serve as a framework for clients, encouraging them to express their thoughts and feelings which in turn can help them to be their true self, without any sort of shame or restriction.
What issues can this type of therapy help with?
• Anxiety • Depression
• Self Esteem • Abuse • Relationship Issues •
• Stress • Anger • Family Problems • Dissociative Disorder • Trauma • Confidence • Childhood issues • Domestic Abuse
• Bullying • Emotional distress • Personal development
and many more....
In Summary:
Why choose Person Centred Counselling?
Acceptance, Understanding, Authentic & Genuine
The Person Centred Approach is most helpful for those that:
Wish to explore their thoughts and feelings
Value personal responsibility
Embrace change
Have important decisions to make
Are ready to want to work to change something in their life
It is less helpful for those:
Seeking direct advice, diagnosis or psychological analysis
Why?
Therapy focuses on your feelings and not those of the counsellor
You are in the driving seat and the expert of your life
Encourages automony and self-growth and healing.
Possible Outcomes:
A deeper awareness and understanding of thoughts, feelings and patterns of behaviours
Improved self expression
Less guilt, shame and feelings of insecurity
Process past trauma or feelings of loss
Healthier relationships with self and others
Feeling of empowerment and more in control of situations