What is counselling?

Counselling

There are many definitions of counselling. Carl Rogers first started to use the term counselling in the way we do today in the 1960's, when he developed 'client-centred' therapy. His core principles form the basis of many counsellors' work even to this day, including my own.

These three core counselling principles are:

1. Empathy
2. Congruence
3. Unconditional positive regard

Empathy

Many counsellors embark upon their training with a natural empathy towards others. With training, this is further enhanced. Empathy is the ability to perceive and feel into the inner world of another person with accuracy, but without actually entering into that other world. This distinguishes empathy from sympathy, as sympathy can often mean that whatever is affecting one person (ie the client) is also affecting the other (ie the counsellor). The best therapeutic work is done with the use of empathy rather than sympathy.

Congruence

Counsellors who have a client-centred approach want to be genuine with their clients. This means to behave in a manner consistent with how they think and feel. Congruent counsellors work with internal and external consistency and are sincere in their rapport.

Unconditional positive regard

A defining feature of client-centred therapy, unconditional positive regard means the counsellor works with the belief that every person has the internal resources for personal growth within the right environment. Counsellors accept their clients as a person of worth, and are able to separate a person's behaviour from their unique essence.

As well as these core principles, a counsellor will:

• Listen to your unique story
• Help you to face unmanaged problems
• Help you to identify and develop your own resources
• Explain the use of new life skills and techniques
• Facilitate you in developing new options

If you'd like to know more about my own overall approach, please click here.