Person-Centred Counselling
Person-centred counselling is based on a simple but powerful idea: that you're the expert in your own life. Rather than being told what to do or how to feel, person-centred therapy gives you space to explore your thoughts and emotions in a way that feels safe, respectful and led by you.
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This approach recognises that healing happens not through advice or analysis, but through real connection: a therapeutic relationship built on empathy, trust and honesty. In person-centred therapy, there's no pressure to be anything other than yourself. You don’t need to have the right words, follow a script, or meet anyone’s expectations. You just need a place where you can be heard.
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On this page, you’ll find more about the core principles of person-centred counselling, how it works in practice, and what it might offer you.​ If you have questions or would like to learn more, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Understanding PCT
Person-centred therapy, rooted in the humanistic approach, was established in the 1940s by American psychologist Carl Rogers. Rogers believed that given the right conditions, every individual has the innate ability to reach their full potential and become their true self. This actualisation process is accessible to everyone and serves as the foundation of person-centred counselling.
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Key Components of Person-Centred Therapy
To help clients, a person-centred therapist provides:
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Unconditional positive regard (UPR) - Accepting and valuing the client for who they are.
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Congruence - Being honest and transparent in the therapist's experience of the client and their world.
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Empathic understanding - Seeing the client's viewpoint as if they were in the client's shoes.
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During person-centred counselling sessions, clients are encouraged to bring their own issues to the table. This means that counselling is led by the client and not directed by the counsellor. Contrary to the common belief that counsellors will sort out clients' problems for them, a person-centred counsellor helps clients explore their own issues, feelings, beliefs, behaviour, and worldview to become more self-aware and achieve greater independence.
How PCT Can Help
The person-centred therapist assists clients in recognising the resources and support available to them. By working through their own issues and building self-confidence, clients realise they always have options. The therapist treats clients as experts on themselves, as no one else knows exactly what it's like to be them. This non-judgemental and supportive approach allows clients to develop a trustworthy relationship, helping them feel free and supported in discussing their concerns and challenges. Ultimately, this leads to the discovery of their own abilities and autonomy to cope with current and future problems.
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The Purpose and Benefits of Person-Centred Therapy
Person-centred therapy aims to facilitate clients' abilities to become resilient to issues they may be facing. This approach supports clients in their personal growth and relationships by allowing them to explore and utilise their strengths and personal identity. The counsellor plays a vital role in providing support during this journey.
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It's important to note that the person-centred counsellor is not considered an expert; instead, the client is seen as an expert on themselves, and the counsellor encourages the client to explore and understand themselves and their troubles.
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The person-centred approach recognises the impact of social environments and personal relationships. Therapy is provided in a neutral, comfortable setting where clients can feel at ease, authentic, and open to learning about themselves. This safe, comforting environment enables clients to understand the past experiences that have shaped their self-perception and empowers them to take positive steps forward. Person-centred therapy can help clients achieve better self-understanding, release feelings of defensiveness and guilt, trust themselves, develop healthier relationships, improve self-expression, and experience a healthy sense of change overall.
Who Can Benefit from Person-Centred Therapy?
Individuals of all ages with a range of personal issues can benefit from person-centred counselling. Many find this type of therapy appealing because it allows them to maintain control over the content and pace of sessions, without worrying about being evaluated or assessed.
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This non-direct style of counselling is especially beneficial for those eager to explore themselves and their feelings, as well as those who want to address specific psychological habits or patterns of thinking.
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Person-centred therapy is particularly effective in helping individuals overcome problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, and grief, or other mental health concerns. These issues can significantly impact self-esteem, self-reliance, and self-awareness. Person-centred therapy helps people reconnect with their inner self, transcending limitations and fostering personal growth.
The Theory Behind Person-Centred Therapy
Unlike some psychotherapeutic approaches where the therapist and their observations are considered 'expert', person-centred therapy trusts that individuals have an innate tendency to find fulfilment in their personal potentials (self-actualisation). By facilitating this process, the approach helps clients recognise their capacity for self-healing and personal growth.
Central to this theory is the concept of self-concept, which refers to the organised and consistent set of beliefs and perceptions a person has about themselves. Person-centred counselling acknowledges that our self-concept can become displaced if we strive too hard to belong and be accepted by those around us.
As we generally desire positive regard from others, it is often easier to conform to an accepted, simplified 'type' of person. Over time, our identity—our personal judgments, meanings, and experiences—can become displaced by the ideals of others. Person-centred counselling aims to help clients achieve personal growth by providing a supportive environment where they can strengthen and expand their identity, and begin to separate themselves from their developed notions of how they should be.
Person-Centred Therapy FAQs
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What is person-centred therapy (PCT)?
Person-centred therapy, founded by Carl Rogers, is a humanistic approach to counselling that focuses on an individual's innate capacity for personal growth, and self-awareness. This approach encourages clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and supportive environment, guided by the principles of unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence.
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Who can benefit from person-centred therapy?
Individuals of all ages and backgrounds can benefit from PCT. It is particularly effective for those who wish to explore their emotions, address specific psychological patterns, or overcome challenges such as depression, anxiety, stress, and grief. PCT can also be helpful for anyone looking to improve self-esteem, self-reliance, and self-awareness.
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What can I expect in a person-centred therapy session?
In a PCT session, you will be encouraged to lead the conversation and discuss any issues, thoughts, or feelings that you wish to explore. The therapist will provide a non-judgemental, empathetic, and supportive environment, allowing you to feel valued and understood. The pace and content of the sessions are entirely up to you, ensuring that the process is tailored to your individual needs.
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How long do PCT sessions usually last?
A typical person-centred therapy session lasts around 50 minutes (clinical hour). The number of sessions required will vary depending on your individual needs and goals, and can be discussed with your therapist.
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How does person-centred therapy differ from other counselling approaches?
Unlike some other therapeutic approaches, PCT focuses on the client's inherent capacity for self-actualisation and personal growth, rather than relying on the therapist as an expert or interpreter of the client's unconscious thoughts. This approach fosters a collaborative and empowering environment in which clients can explore their own experiences and develop a greater sense of self-awareness.
If you're interested in learning more about person-centred therapy in Manchester and how it can support your journey towards self-discovery and personal growth, please don't hesitate to contact Jodie James Counselling Services. Jodie is here to offer compassionate and empathetic guidance, helping you to navigate life's challenges and reach your full potential.
PCT Help, Support & Guidance
