Counselling
What is Counselling?
Counselling is a Talking Therapy that involves a trained therapist listening and working with you to find ways to deal with common life, or mental health, problems.
It takes place within a “safe space” which is another way of saying that it’s confidential and free from judgement. Working in this way, with someone unconnected to your life, can help you gain a better understanding of your thoughts and feelings and help you move forward in a more positive way. In a counselling session you’re encouraged to talk about and examine your feelings and emotions.
What is a Counsellor?
In the United Kingdom a Counsellor is generally a qualified professional who offers talking therapy. Usually a member of a professional body, they are expected to work ethically and safely in accordance with its guidelines for best practice.
Their role is to listen and try to understand how things are for you. I am there to support you without judgment or criticism.
Person-Centred Counselling
Person-Centred Therapy is a humanistic approach that deals with the ways in which individuals perceive themselves consciously, rather than how a counsellor can interpret their unconscious thoughts or ideas.
Created in the 1950s by psychologist Carl Rogers, the person-centred approach ultimately sees human beings as having an innate tendency to develop towards their full potential. However, this ability can become blocked or distorted by life experiences.
The therapist in this approach works to understand an individual’s experience from their perspective. The approach can help the client to reconnect with their inner values and sense of self-worth, thus enabling them to find their own way to move forward and progress.
Generally, person-centred counselling can help individuals of all ages, with a range of personal issues. The approach is said to be particularly effective in helping individuals to overcome specific problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, grief or other mental health concerns.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence-based approach that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Developed in the 1960s by psychiatrist Aaron Beck, CBT is based on the idea that the way we think about situations can influence how we feel and how we act. At times, unhelpful patterns of thinking can become ingrained, leading to distressing emotions and behaviours.
CBT works to identify and challenge these patterns, supporting individuals to develop more balanced and constructive ways of thinking. The therapist collaborates with the client in a practical and goal-oriented way, often incorporating strategies and exercises that can be applied in everyday life. This approach can help individuals to gain a clearer understanding of their experiences, build coping skills, and make meaningful changes. CBT is widely used and has been shown to be effective in supporting people with a range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, stress, and other emotional challenges.