Types of counselling
Most Counsellors at Contact use and combine approaches from three different methods. This is often called an integrative style of counselling. However, each counsellor may favour one of the approaches or use one approach with a particular client. What is common to them all is that they focus on the needs and situations of each individual client(s).
The person-Centred approach- Originator: Carl Rogers
The person-centred approach believes that everyone has the ability for psychological growth. if external circumstances are not too severe. it thinks people lose touch with this self-actualising tendency and often take on board the evaluations of others which can be constricting, negative and a barrier to a happier life.
This approach doesn't tell clients what they must do but through building understanding based on empathy, being real and having positive regard, clients learn to accept who they are and reconnect with their true selves.
The psychodynamic approach- Originator: Sigmund Freud
The psychodynamic approach focuses on an individual's thoughts and beliefs many of which stem from childhood experiences or basic human drives and can affect their current behaviours and thoughts. We are often driven to repeat patterns of behaviour some of which are harmful.
Therapy includes thought association, talking about resistance to change and relationship patterns, it can include dream analysis and be longer term. The aim is to make the patterns conscious in order for the client to gain insight.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)- Key Contributors: Ellis and Beck
CBT focuses on how an individual's thoughts and perceptions affect the way they feel (emotions) and behave. We are reactive beings who respond to a variety of external pressures and our behaviours are a result of learning and conditioning.
Because our behaviours are viewed as having being learned, they can, therefore, be unlearned. By helping clients to recognise negative thought patterns they can learn new positive ways of thinking which ultimately will affect feelings and their behaviour.