What is person centred counselling?

Person-Centred Counselling, also known as Client-Centred Therapy or Rogerian Therapy, is an approach to psychotherapy developed by psychologist Carl Rogers. It's based on the belief that individuals have the capacity for self-awareness, personal growth, and the ability to make positive changes in their lives when provided with a supportive and empathetic therapeutic environment.

Key principles of Person-Centred Counselling include:

  1. Unconditional Positive Regard: The therapist offers non-judgmental acceptance and respect for the client, creating an atmosphere where the client feels understood and valued without conditions.
  2. Empathy: Therapists strive to deeply understand and empathize with the client's experiences, emotions, and perspectives. This empathetic understanding helps build a strong therapeutic relationship.
  3. Congruence or Genuineness: Therapists are authentic and genuine in their interactions with clients. They openly share their thoughts and feelings in a transparent manner, fostering trust and creating an environment for honest communication.
  4. Client-Centred Focus: The client is considered the expert in their own life. The therapist assists clients in exploring their feelings, thoughts, and experiences to gain insights and find solutions that align with their values and goals.

The therapeutic process in Person-Centred Counselling revolves around the client-therapist relationship, emphasizing the importance of the therapeutic alliance and the client's self-exploration. The goal is to enable clients to develop greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and personal growth.

Sessions typically involve active listening, reflection, and open-ended questions by the therapist to encourage clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences more deeply. The focus is on helping clients gain insights into their own experiences and find their path to healing and growth.

Person-Centred Counselling is widely used in various therapeutic settings due to its emphasis on empathy, unconditional positive regard, and the belief in the client's capacity for self-directed growth and change. It's a humanistic approach that values the individual's unique experience and aims to create a supportive environment for personal development.


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