Person-centred counselling, also known as client-centred therapy, is a humanistic approach to psychotherapy developed by Carl Rogers. It emphasises the importance of creating a safe and supportive therapeutic environment where the client is empowered to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
The key principles of person-centred counselling include:
Unconditional positive regard:
The therapist accepts and values the client unconditionally, without judgment or criticism. This creates an atmosphere of trust and enables the client to freely express themselves.
Empathy:
The therapist seeks to understand the client's subjective experience and perspective, showing empathy and putting themselves in the client's shoes. This helps the client feel understood and validated.
Congruence: The therapist aims to be genuine and authentic, expressing their true feelings and thoughts in the therapeutic relationship. Congruence allows for a transparent and honest interaction, fostering trust and openness.
Client autonomy: Person-centred counselling recognises that the client is the expert on their own experiences and has the capacity to make choices and decisions that are in their best interest. The therapist respects the client's autonomy and supports their self-determination.
Non-directedness:
The therapist takes a non-directive approach, avoiding the imposition of their own values, beliefs, or agenda on the client. Instead, the therapist provides a supportive environment for the client to explore their own thoughts, emotions, and solutions.
The goal of person-centred counselling is to facilitate the client's self-discovery, personal growth, and positive change. The therapist serves as a compassionate and empathetic companion on the client's journey, helping them develop self-awareness, increase their self-esteem, and find their own solutions to life's challenges.
It's important to note that person-centred counselling is a client-centred approach, and the therapist's role is to create the conditions for the client's growth rather than providing advice or interpretations. The focus is on the client's subjective experience and their own capacity for self-healing and personal development.
