Person-Centred Counselling
Person-centred counselling, as devised by psychologist Carl Rogers in the 1950s, is based on the assumption that clients should have an accepting, non-judgmental relationship with their counsellor, allowing the client to freely express emotions and feelings. Person-centred therapy is part of the humanistic school.
In person-centred counselling the client is seen as being the best authority of their own experience and therefore capable of achieving their own potential for growth and problem resolution.
Person-centred therapy upholds that humans are naturally growth-oriented, but sometimes our development get blocked by our life experiences, particularly those that affect our sense of our own value.
Person-centred counselling is based on the belief that a client will benefit the most from exploring their subjective experience, rather than underlying issues and/or motives. This subjective experience is considered to be the client's reality, and in person-centred counselling the focus is on whatever the individual's reality is. It is through acceptance and exploration of this subjective reality that growth can occur.
The person-centred counsellor provides favourable conditions to allow the emergence of such potential through empathy, thus enabling the client to come to terms with negative feelings, and develop inner resources with the power and freedom to bring about change.
What can person-centred counselling help with?
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Low self-esteem
- Childhood difficulties
- Lack of confidence
- Addiction
- Grief and loss
- Shame
Who was Carl Rogers?
Carl Rogers (1902-1987) was an American psychologist and one of the founders of the humanistic psychology.
He had a religious upbringing and was due to become a minister before he started to doubt his own religious convictions.
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What are the three core conditions?
- Unconditional positive regard
The therapist accepts and supports the client without conditions, and doesn't judge their thoughts, feelings, or behaviours. The therapist should see the client as a worthwhile human being, and accept them for who they are.
- Empathy
The therapist understands and shares the client's feelings, thoughts, and experiences. This involves listening deeply and trying to see the world from the client's perspective. The therapist then communicates their understanding back to the client.
- Congruence
The therapist is genuine, authentic, and transparent in their interactions with the client. This means their inner experience and outward expression match. The therapist's congruence helps the client build trust and self-esteem, and can help defeat negative attitudes that others may have placed on the client.
Training as a person-centred counselling
Training as a person-centred therapist takes several years – two to three if you take the counselling route, four or five with a psychotherapy training.
All therapists on Welldoing are verified annually as members of reputable professional associations to ensure a high standard of training.
Relevant organisations
Last updated October 2024
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