This essay will explore the counselling relationship along with the benefits and limitations as well as discussing other factors that have an important impact in relation to the outcome of counselling. Counselling is an interpersonal relationship between the client and qualified therapist, the relationship involves communicating with the client and using skills to explore the client's feelings. The counselling/ therapeutic relationship can be used in all types of counselling such as psychodynamic, humanistic, behavioural, person centred and cognitive therapy. As mental health disorders increase so does the need to deliver effective counselling, which means that the therapeutic relationship is more crucial than ever. (Miller, Hubble, Duncan and Wampold 2010; Norcross and Lambert 2011).
Firstly, one strength of the counselling relationship which makes it the most important factor is its effectiveness. The counselling relationship allows client and counsellor to agree on tasks and goals (Colin Feltham 2010). Through the relationship the client can become aware of their problems and work with the counsellor to find solutions. The relationship works well in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as it combines interpersonal and technical factors to result in a favourable outcome (Glovozolias 2004). CBT is action orientated therapy used to change faulty thinking patterns to help clients overcome mental disorders such as depression. (Whisman 1993) Discussed five studies that looked at the relationship and CBT in cases of depression; three studies found the therapeutic relationship significant for positive outcome. Unfortunately, in CBT value is placed on technique and therefore there is not much research on the effect of the counselling relationship in this therapy. Although, the relationship is vital in person centred therapy, as it emphasises the importance of the therapeutic relationship between counsellor and client. In person centred therapy the counsellor must find ways of using the relationship to highlight issues in the clients functioning. Person centred therapy was introduced by Carl Rodgers and is one of the most widely used therapies as it focuses on the client's thoughts, feelings, behaviours and needs.
When comparing and contrasting these three approaches in relation to their differing theoretical rationale, the common factor similarities between the Person Centred Approach and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Both relates to the conscious mind, which involves the here and now. While focusing on an individual’s current problems. In addition mutually sharing positive view of human nature and/or views. Therefore, individual’s issues may not have association from the past instead bringing awareness to develop better future decision making. By improving a client well-being through the use of collaborative therapeutic relationship. For healthier coping mechanisms in clients experiencing psychological pain and disharmony as part of their
I understand counselling to be a helping practice that differs from other helping activities, such as teaching for example. Counselling requires professional training and is specifically contracted or explicitly agreed. It has a theoretical base and uses specific methods within an ethical framework. The relationship between the counsellor and the client is built upon mutual expectation and is central to the process of the client under-going significant change in their lives.
Mearns. D and Thorne. B (2007) Person-centred Counselling in Action 3rd Edition. Sage Publications: London
One of key concepts of person centred therapy is the belief that the client has the ability to become aware of their own problems and has the inherent means to resolve them. In this sense,
Person Centered Therapy was established by Carl Rogers, a noted psychologist in the 1940s. This style of therapy deviated from the customary model of the therapist as professional and moved rather toward a nondirective sensitive method that empowers and encourages the client in the therapeutic fashion. The concept is Humanistic in nature which affirms the client’s anatomy, psyche, and soul. It provides clients the freedom to achieve self- realization. Cognitive Behavior Therapy understands personal functioning to be the result of continuous reciprocal interaction between behavior and its social conditions. Therapist used their own life experiences to developed theories that can be conformed to help others. Integrating theories has proven
In the instance of a serious mental health case it is the role of the counsellor to provide complementary support alongside medical professionals providing medical consultation and treatment, with agreement from the medical professional. It is the role of the counsellor to support the client in developing methods to better manage their conditions and so improve their quality of life. It is also the role of the counsellor to maintain a knowledge of serious mental health conditions to enable effective referral upon identification of associated
The pressure to conform can be immense. As a result, because we have a deep need to feel valued, we tend to deny to our awareness those of our inner experiences that we believe will not be acceptable. Originally described as non-directive, this form of therapy moved away from the idea that the counsellor was the expert and towards a theory that trusted the actualising tendency of clients to find their own personal potential. The term ‘actualising tendency’ is one which Rogers uses to describe the human urge to grow, to develop, and to reach maximum potential. It is directional and present in all living things, but can sometimes be suppressed. The person-centred therapist aims to provide an environment in which the client does not feel under threat or judgement. This enables the client to experience and accept more of who they are as a person, and reconnect with their own values. The client is then able to let down their defences and gain a better perception of themselves. This environment is achieved when being in a therapeutic relationship with someone who demonstrates the three essential characteristics: empathy, congruence and respect. The nature of the relationship is crucial for the success of therapy. Although therapy in a person-centred manner does not have as much structure as some other methods, it is a highly effective way of encouraging personal growth. Person-centred therapy sees the individual as a whole, and one aspect central to development is the
This essay is written to compare the counselling relationship in person-centred and cognitive-behavioural counselling by outlining both the theory and practice of the counselling relationship. This will be done by outlining the theory of the counselling relationships and the theory in practice. Both person-centred and cognitive-behavioural counselling are widely recognised, successful treatments. There are however many significant differences between the two.
The critical components in person-centered therapy are imperative for the counseling session is self-regard and relationships. It showcases that both the counselor and client have a role to improve the relationship overall. When the counselor is congruent or actively listening to the client than the relationship enhances over the course
The most important part of any therapy is the relationship that the counselor and the client is able to develop. Through the development of the client/counselor relationship we are able to support the client in working on the areas that need to be addressed while delivering a supportive and non-exploitive relationship (Frances, Miller, & Mack, 2011). However, while offering support to a client the client may begin to struggle with the accountability of their own emotions and behaviors; if the counselor is aware of possible implications, they will be better able to address the feelings and behaviors. The first issue that clinicians should be aware
‘A nondirective method of group or individual psychotherapy, originated by Carl Rogers, in which the therapist 's role is to
There are many strengths in the person centred approach as the counsellor will build a caring relationship with the client, this will enable the client to explore their emotions without fearing of being judged. The counsellor will use the core conditions within the therapy sessions as this will help the client to regain a sense of intimacy (Corey, 2001). The counsellor will address the clients stress, anxiety and fear to help the client to overcome their experiences. Person centred therapy will enable the clients to move forward in their life. Seligman stated the theory offers an up to date and optimistic perspective as well as that the therapy works effectively with variety of cultural. Further to this, Clients feel empowered as the therapy allows the client to make their own decisions (Corey, 2001).
Giving a clear definition of psychotherapy and counselling is arduous, as there’s a little insufficient agreement on the definition and on whether there’s any variation between the two terms. Psychotherapy and counselling are interplay between a therapists /counsellor and clients/patients. The main role of the counsellor is to aid the client in solving problems that may have aspects that are mainly associated to disorder of thinking, emotional suffering or the problems of the act (Corey, 2009, p. 111). Most importantly, the therapist/ counselor’s way to aiding ought to be legally and ethically approved.
Especially, in counselling and psychotherapy, the relationship between client and counsellor is the most significant part of the therapeutic procedure. Many studies (Buborsky et al. 1983, O’ Maley et al. 1983, Hill 1989) illustrate that it is the therapeutic relationship more that any other factor, which determines the effectiveness of counselling therapy. Moreover, literature which reviews the way, in which clients experience the therapeutic process, indicates that the many of the client’s thoughts and feelings remain unspoken during the counselling sessions. (Dinnage, 1988, Mearns and Dryden,
Correspondingly, Combs (1988) proposed that because therapists using person centred approach do not know what’s best for their clients, they’re usually hesitant towards guiding or teaching them. He opines that person centred counsellors should take the responsibility of teaching clients how to achieve their goals and make hence, make significant changes. Furthermore, According to Nye (1981) the person centred approach is unreasonably general. I.e. it lacks clearly well-defined terms for its techniques. For Thomson & Rudolph (1983), person centred approach is modelled upon clients that are intelligent, literate, and highly perceptive of their