Person-centered Counselling Services
By Christine Ferch
Taking a person-centered approach to therapy has helped guide my clients at a pace they are comfortable. The client takes the lead in their session and focuses on what symptoms they find the most distressing in their life. After all, the client is the one living it. There is no judgement and safety of the space during the session is of utmost importance. With this approach, clients can feel acknowledged, heard and validated on their way to self-discovery, self-acceptance and healing. Those who are struggling with interpersonal relationships, grief, depression, anxiety stress or abuse can find this modality very useful as it is about building trust and safety.
When engaging in person-centered therapy, to encourage the benefits, counsellors provide three conditions:
- Unconditional Positive Regard: which is when the therapist provides an empathetic and nonjudgmental approach to build trust and confidence allowing the client to be open during their talk therapy
- Empathetic Understanding: The therapist strives to understand and accept the client’s thoughts and feelings. This is done so through summarizing and clarifying what the client is describing
- Congruence: The therapist has no authority or power differential to the client. They present an authentic, genuine, and accessible. Allowing the clients to have an honest and transparent connection
The purpose of providing a safe space for client’s to be free in the discussion, bring up whatever distressing thoughts and feelings they have. To provide a time of silence for the client to reflect on their thoughts and feelings and Feel validated for these and gain confidence and self-acceptance.
This approach valued within sessions with clients as it can provide optimal comfort for a client. It allows them to set the pace for what and when they would like to disclose and open pandora’s box.
