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What is Person-Centred Counselling?
Carl Rogers (1902-1987) pioneered a new way of working
with clients in a therapeutic process. Essentially a
philosophy rather than a technique, the foundations of
this way of counselling are non-judgmental and
therapeutic, offering the client;
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A space in which to be heard
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Non – judgmental listening
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Reflective interventions
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A safe environment
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Unconditional respect for feelings
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Empathetic understanding
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Honesty with respect
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Confidentiality
In
Person-centred counselling, the counsellor works with
the client as he or she seeks to function better as a
person. It is the counsellor’s belief that when the
client is given respect and understanding from the
counsellor in a climate of honesty, he or she will be
more likely to develop as person .
The Person-centred counsellor does not give advice or
offer solutions to a client's problems, but helps the
client to understand their own needs and assists in
finding ways of meeting those needs.
Rooted in humanistic philosophy, Person-centred
counselling has an inherent optimistic view of the
individual and the belief that each person has the
capacity to move in the direction of a more fulfilling
and satisfying way of living their lives. It is based on
a trust in the inner resources of each individual to
find their own answers and direction to achieve their
aims. Person-centred counselling aims to help you to be
able to understand your own limitations and
potentialities by exploring how you experience yourself,
promoting greater self awareness and acceptance and thus
empowering you to make your own choices in how you live
your life.
The counselling process is dependent to a large degree
on the relationship between client and counsellor, and
as with all relationships, the counselling relationship
takes time to develop usually over a number of sessions.
Person-centred counselling is not a quick fix but it
can, given time and commitment, enable a client to live
a more fulfilled life.
By approaching counselling in the belief that you have
the answers to your unhappiness, and in telling your
counsellor about what is wrong, you will hear the
beginning of a way forward.
Together you can build on that beginning until your
world changes from an unhappy place, to one that is more
hopeful and optimistic.
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