Person Centred Counselling in London

Developed in the 1950’s from the work of American psychologist Carl Rogers,
person-centred counselling helps people by creating an open, safe space to talk.

The person-centred approach teaches therapists a specific way in which to respond to the clients’ personal experiences. Many people feel that the basic principles of person-centred counselling are essential for any type of therapy to be effective.

Person-centred counselling sets the stage for all that happens in therapy

A person-centred therapist trusts in a natural human potential for self-fulfilment and offers support, guidance and structure so that the client can discover within themselves their own solutions to any personal issues. In person-centered therapy, the focus is on the person, not the problem.

The person-centred approach to counselling includes a set of basic principles or conditions that person-centred therapists closely follow. These principles help therapists understand the client’s life experiences from the client’s point of view. A key component of the person-centred approach is that the therapist does not act as an expert on the client’s life, but instead supports and motivates each individual towards their own potential for personal development and change.

Person-centred therapists are non-judgmental and believe that life experiences and life choices result from a complex set of psychological and emotional forces. Therefore, person-centred therapists do not judge behaviour or personal choices. They do not see one style or type of life as better than another. The person-centred approach allows the client and therapist freedom to talk openly about anything in a private and non-judgemental environment.

Empathy and compassion are essential components of the person-centred approach

Empathy is the ability of one person to understand and respect the life experiences of another person. Empathy is an essential component of the person-centred approach. Through empathy, person-centred therapists maintain an unconditional positive regard for their clients and it is within this important framework of empathy and acceptance that therapy takes place.

It is no surprise that person-centred counselling appeals to many people. It is a client-led, non-judgemental approach that gives the client control over what is discussed in therapy. Many people are attracted to the relaxed, compassionate nature of this relational, non-directive counselling approach. Unlike cognitive behavioural therapy, person-centred counselling does not usually involve techniques or homework between sessions and unlike psychodynamic psychotherapy, the person-centred approach does not always focus on past events in a client’s life. Person-centred counselling is often about what’s going on in a person’s life now.

At the end of the day, it’s all about the client-therapist relationship

Progress in person-centred counselling results from the unique relationship that evolves between the client and the therapist. A healthy relationship between client and therapist is one built on trust. Through being non-judgmental, open and approachable, person-centred therapists are able to form supportive, constructive relationships with clients in a private and confidential setting. It is this unique, private therapeutic relationship that enables personal change and evolution.

In short, person-centred counsellors provide favourable conditions and a unique environment in which clients may come to terms with negative feelings, difficult emotions and other personal issues. All of our counsellors and psychotherapists have some training in the person-centred approach. If you would like more information about the person-centred approach, please get in touch.

Person-centred therapy is just one type of therapy that we provide in London

While person-centred counselling is a popular and effective type of therapy, there are other kinds of therapy that we also offer in central London. Our therapists are trained and experienced in several different types of counselling and you may want to read more information about the other types of counselling and psychotherapy that we offer:

integrative psychotherapy | psychodynamic psychotherapy | psychoanalytic psychotherapy | cognitive behavioural therapy

Getting started with us

Your first appointment will be an opportunity for you to tell us your hopes in therapy and we will consider how we can provide the type of counselling and psychotherapy that best suits you. To book your first meeting with one of our therapists, please telephone us on 0333 207 9330 or you may book your first appointment online.

If this is your first experience of therapy, you may find that setting out to begin therapy can feel confusing. There are many types of therapy in London and many kinds of therapists. We have put together a list of frequently-asked questions about therapy together with our answers that may be helpful.

If you have a preference for a certain type of therapist or a certain style of therapy, please tell us your preferences at the time of booking your appointment.

If you feel now is the time to meet with a therapist to discuss any issues or concerns in your life, we may be able to offer the support you need. Please get in touch to make a first appointment. We will usually respond to you within 24 hours.

Person-centred counselling means our clients can discuss anything in therapy together with one of our approachable and experienced counsellors or psychotherapists.