What is person-centred therapy?

Everyone’s mind is unique. From how they process information, perceive the world, to their personality. None of us are exactly the same.

This is why there are several forms of counselling and therapy. One approach may work for someone, whereas others won’t. And this is because of our uniqueness.

It is essential to find one method that works for the individual, rather than try to force a square peg into a round hole. So taking time to find the right therapist or counsellor can be time consuming.

This is why an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is so useful.

A popular method is person-centred therapy and counselling, which has influenced many therapeutic techniques and the mental health field, in general.

Let’s explore the form of counselling, its person-centred approach, and how it can benefit your employees.

What is person-centred therapy?

Person-centred therapy and psychotherapy is a humanistic approach that deals with how individuals perceive themselves, rather than how a
therapist may analyse them through subconscious thoughts or ideas. Through this, a person can reach their full potential and become their true self, which is termed as ‘self-actualisation.’

The American psychologist Carl Rogers founded it in the 1940s. He wanted a person-centred psychotherapy approach for counselling that focused on the clients' experience of themselves, as opposed to a counsellor forcing their expertise and telling them what to do, or what was wrong with them.

It’s classed as one of the most influential and fundamental therapeutic processes, and is still applied almost universally in modern psychotherapy.

How does person-centred therapy work?

For this method to work, there needs to be a safe environment set, because the client, not the therapist, leads it. Emotional and physical threat needs to be removed for raw openness, comfort and personal growth.

Therefore, there are key concepts and principles which encourage conditions believed to help achieve this environment, particularly in the therapy room.

These three key concepts in person-centred counselling are:

1. Empathic understanding: the counsellor trying to understand the client’s point of view with empathy
2. Congruence: the therapist being a genuine person
3. Unconditional positive regard: the counsellor being non-judgemental

What is person-centred counselling used for?

Person-centred counselling is better suited for clients who prefer the freedom of talking about their problems in a supportive and facilitative environment. Rather than follow a more directive, structured approach with specific techniques.

It is ideal for individuals who are motivated by self-discovery and work towards solving their issues.

During a person-centred counselling session, the person-centred therapist will encourage clients to bring their own issues to the session. Here, the client leads the entire counselling session, instead of the counsellor.

Person-centred counselling is a flexible form of therapy, because of its individualistic approach. Therefore, it’s used to treat several issues or conditions like:

• Relationship problems
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Addictions
• Sexuality
• Anger
• Difficult transitions in life

Does person-centred counselling work?

By offering a safe, comforting environment, the person-centred counselling model empowers clients. They can understand how their experiences have affected the way they feel about themselves and take the steps towards positive change.

Here are some of the unique benefits that person centred counselling offers over other models.

• A better understanding of their idealised self and actual self.
• Achieve better self-understanding and awareness.
• Release feelings of defensiveness, insecurity and guilt.
• Have a greater ability to trust oneself.
• Develop healthier relationships.
• See improvement in self-expression.
• Encourages the client to think in the present time.