My Counselling Approach

Counsellors often use a variety of approaches while working with clients. Each develop a personal preference during initial training and continuously extend their skills base through the medium of personal and professional development in line with their ethical obligations.

Person Centred and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

My personal approach involves the culmination of person centred and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy(CBT). The former was developed Carl Rogers whose core conditions for growth within the therapeutic relationship involved the counsellor possessing unconditional positive regard, empathic understanding, and congruence. These he described as essential to the helping relationship because clients need to be treated as individuals, who could express both positive and negative feelings to another human being who would neither judge or condemn them but would understand and accept them unconditionally. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy used in conjunction with the Person centred approach allows clients to further understand their assumptions and core beliefs by searching for the evidence and then testing it. Negative assumptions are often based on past experiences and clients may not be aware of them, by fully focusing on the present moment, clients can accept themselves more fully and change from what they are at present to what they want to become. When this process is carried out in a safe climate of trust, clients can use self exploration to shift emotional blocks that were hindering growth.

Philosophy of Counselling

Counselling is first and foremost a valuable form of help for those in distress and the relationship between Client and Counsellor will always be the corner stone of this alliance. Therapeutic intervention not only encompasses practiced ability but more importantly it allows the Client to matter, to be heard, to be seen, to understand that we "get them".

Sufficient knowledge of counselling theories and theorists is required during initial Counselling/Psychotherapy training and beyond to provide an insight into the human condition and related therapeutic work. Carl Roger's Person Centred approach underpins the required elements necessary to work effectively within this helping profession and as such become crucial within this field.

Commitment, Collaboration and Healing

Commitment to a collaborative process demonstrates this understanding and allows clients to make sense of their problem or life history, to grow, to heal traumas and to connect in a deep and meaningful way. Clients need their Counsellor to believe in them, to be empathic and understanding, to be a partner in the process, to offer trust and hope. Being respectful and curious about childhood experiences helps get to the root of the client's issue and to convey that they had strengths and survived. Providing a safe environment will allow clients to try new ways of being and will encourage self care and compassion.

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