Person-Centred Counselling
Counselling is a broad field encompassing various approaches tailored to different client needs. While all therapies seek to support individuals in distress, they differ in their focus, techniques, and applications. This explores some distinctions within person-centred counselling examining their principles, objectives, and methodologies.
Person-centred counselling, developed by Carl Rogers in the mid-20th century, is a humanistic approach that prioritises the individual's capacity for self-growth and self-actualisation. This type of counselling operates on the assumption that people have an inherent ability to find their solutions when provided with the right environment.
Core Principles
Person-centred counselling is based on three fundamental principles:
- Unconditional Positive Regard – The counsellor provides non-judgmental acceptance and genuine care for the client.
- Empathy – The counsellor strives to deeply understand the client’s emotions and experiences from their perspective.
- Congruence (Genuineness) – The counsellor remains authentic and transparent in interactions with the client.
Objectives
The primary goal of person-centred counselling is to empower individuals to become more self-aware and self-reliant. Rather than providing direct advice, the counsellor facilitates an environment where the client feels safe to explore their emotions and develop their own coping mechanisms.
Methodologies
Person-centred counselling usually employs non-directive techniques, allowing clients to lead the conversation. The counsellor listens actively, reflecting thoughts and feelings back to the client to promote self-exploration.