Person centred

 

Person-Centred Therapy, also known as Client-centred therapy or Rogerian Psychotherapy, was developed by the humanist psychologist Carl Rogers in the 1940s and 1950s. It is one of the most widely used models in mental health and psychotherapy. The basic elements of Rogerian therapy involve showing congruence (genuineness), empathy and unconditional positive regard toward a client. Based on these elements the therapist creates a supportive, non-judgmental environment in which the client is encouraged to reach their full potential.

Person-centred therapy is used to help a person achieve personal growth and/or come to terms with a specific event or problem they are experiencing. Person-Centred Therapy is based on the principle of talking therapy and is a non-directive approach. The therapist encourages the client to express their feelings and does not suggest how the person might wish to change, but, by listening and then mirroring back what the client reveals to them, helps them to explore and understand their feelings for themselves. The client is then able to decide what kind of changes they would like to make and achieve personal growth.

Although this technique has been criticised by some for its lack of structure and set method it has proved to be a hugely effective and popular treatment. Person-Centred Therapy is predominantly used by certain types of psychologists and counsellors in psychotherapy. In client-centred therapy the therapist's role is mainly to act as a facilitator and to provide a comfortable environment rather than to drive and direct therapy outcomes. However, while I too desire to see this kind of self actualisation happen in any client, I have been know to offer the odd suggestion of a way forward. But the decision to adopt into their thinking or reject (either is acceptable to me) is entirely up to the client, who is in the driving seat at all times and has total freedom of choice in the direction they wish to progress.

 

Psychodynamic insights

 

The basic premise of insight-oriented psychotherapy is that you are increasing your understanding of the underlying themes, thoughts and behavioural patterns that may result from your early years and still be impacting on your life and how you live it today.

 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

 

This is a way of talking about how you think about yourself, the world and other people. And how what you do affects your thoughts and feelings.
 
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help you to change how you think ("Cognitive") and what you do ("Behavioural"). These changes can help you to feel better. Unlike some of the other talking treatments, it focuses on the "here and now" problems and difficulties. Instead of focusing on the causes of your distress or symptoms in the past, it looks for ways to improve your state of mind now.  It has been found to be helpful in cases of anxiety, depression, panic attacks, agoraphobia and other phobias.

 

Transactional Analysis

 

Transactional Analysis is based on a very simple model, in which each person is considered to have three primary personality modes or 'ego states': Parent, Adult and Child. And at any given time, one of these modes is likely to be dominant. The significance of the three modes is as follows...

• Parent
When in Parent mode a person can be Nurturing or Controlling. And there are positive and negative aspects to each of these. For example, a Positive Controlling Parent sets boundaries and gives people space; a Negative Controlling Parent can be domineering and strongly opinionated.

• Adult
When in Adult mode a person operates in an objective, rational, logical way.

• Child
Finally, when in Child mode a person can be Free or Adaptive.

Now there are positive and negative aspects to each of these. For example, a Positive Adaptive Child is co-operative and helpful; a Negative Adaptive Child is likely to be fearful and either compliant or rebellious.

In any 'transaction' between two people each will tend to move into a particular ego state. For example, when you ask a stranger in the street for directions the transaction is likely to be a straightforward, unemotional Adult-Adult one, with a simple transfer of information. By contrast, when an autocratic boss is disciplining a member of staff the transaction is likely to be one with a high emotional charge: Controlling Parent- Adaptive Child. The purpose of TA is to help people to deal with such difficult situations, and to enable them to have a win-win, 'I'm OK, you're OK' outcome.

  

 

Hypnotherapy

 

I have also been trained in the use of hypnotherapy in conjunction with my other forms of counselling and am happy to use it when requested to.

Hypnotherapy helps a client to use a deep state of relaxation through which much can be learned. The more we involve ourselves in understanding our thoughts, emotions, and actions, the greater our understanding of our experiences in life in the here and now, and those of our past. With this understanding comes a greater sense of well being, peace and unity within us.  Many people also use hypnotherapy to beat addictions and phobias... but just as many ask me to use it to help them relax and find a new peace of mind.

Can everybody be hypnotised? To date I have not met anyone that can’t if they want to be. What does it feel like? Simply put, it is a deep state of relaxation. So you may only have been in a hypnotic trance for ten minutes but as you come out of it you will often feel like you would after the kind of night’s sleep you always hope for, refreshed and revitalised and ready for rest of your day.

Now of course, some people worry that they may divulge secrets about them self but they won’t.  Other people worry that they may be led to do something contrary to their normal personal inclinations such as dancing like a chicken, but they won’t. At all times the client is fully in control of all their faculties.  Plus at all time I will be working within a clear ethical framework. And at all times you can rest assured I won’t be using anything mystical or magical because what I offer is simply a fuller way to relax while sorting out the issues that are troubling you.

But I started this section by saying, “I ... am happy to use it when requested”.  So the choice is there for you to request or ignore.