Finding your own way: the power of person-centred therapy
As a person-centred counsellor with over 20 years of experience, I have seen first-hand the transformative power of person-centred therapy. It is a humanistic approach to therapy that empowers individuals to find their own solutions, heal from past traumas and grow towards self-actualisation.
Person-centred therapy is rooted in the belief that individuals have an innate capacity for self-growth and healing. Carl Rogers, the founder of person-centred therapy, believed that everyone is born “good”, it is what happens to a human during their life journey that shapes them. He also believed that there needs to be three core conditions of therapy in order for a human in distress to thrive again – empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence.
Empathy refers to the therapist's ability to step into the client's shoes and understand their subjective experience in order to create a safe and supportive therapeutic environment.
"Empathy is connecting with the emotion that someone is experiencing, not the event or the circumstance." Brené Brown
Unconditional positive regard refers to the therapist's acceptance and non-judgmental attitude towards the client. The absence of judgment and negative evaluation in person-centred therapy can empower clients to embrace their authentic selves.
Congruence refers to the therapist's ability to be genuine and authentic in the therapeutic relationship. According to Rogers, "The therapist is a person first and a therapist second; her or his congruency is important as a person, and vital as a therapist." The therapist's authenticity can set the foundation for a therapeutic relationship built on trust.
Person-centred therapy is a talk therapy that prioritises the client’s needs and helps them find their own solutions to their challenges. This approach is beneficial as it provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to express their deepest thoughts and emotions openly.
"When you take risks, you learn that there will be times when you succeed and there will be times when you fail, and both are equally important." Ellen De Generes
Taking risks in therapy is important to explore, experiment and learn with our therapist's compassionate support.
Person-centred therapy differs from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in its approach to therapy. While CBT focuses on changing negative thoughts and behaviours, person-centred therapy emphasises self-growth, self-acceptance and self-actualisation. However, both approaches can complement each other, and it is essential to choose the approach that resonates most with the individual's needs.
