Counselling

The counselling style used is Rogerian Theory or Person Centered Approach.

This is a theory developed by Carl Rogers. It is based on the belief that no one is inherently flawed but that each person has the capacity and desire for personal growth and change.

Put simply, the answers are all inside ourselves.

As a therapist my role is to facilitate this very natural process and help the client to tap into their own deep, inner wisdom. The answers that come through this process are perfect – because they come from the client and their own very unique experiences of the world. They are not my answers or beliefs about “what is good for you” but the individual personal understanding that the counsellor facilitates for the client.

There are six factors which are necessary for growth in Rogerian Theory. Carl Rogers believed if these six factors were met then the client moved toward personal growth.

 

  1. Therapist-Client Psychological Contact:This is the first condition – the relationship that grows and exists between the therapist and client.
  2. Client Incongruence or Vulnerability: There is usually a discrepancy between the client’s self-image and their experience. This leaves the client vulnerable to anxiety or emotional turmoil. Often the client is not aware of this incongruence or they cannot identify it readily.
  3. Therapist Congruence or Genuineness: The therapist needs to be genuine, sincere and self aware and congruent. The therapist is not perfect though! It merely means the therapist is honest and true to themselves in the therapeutic relationship and the client can see this.
  4. Therapist Unconditional Positive Regard: This is the regard the therapist has for the client and the client’s experiences which are able to be discussed and explored, positive or negative, without any conditions or judgement
  5. Therapist Empathy: This is the therapist showing empathic understanding of the clients’ and recognising their experiences, without becoming emotionally involved.
  6. Client Perception: The client perceives the therapist’s unconditional positive regard and empathic understanding. This is communicated through the words and behaviours of the therapist.

Therapeutic Hypnosis

Therapeutic hypnosis is underpinned by the core belief that we are only ever working to the client’s benefit.

Everything a trained therapeutic hypnotherapist does is to work toward the client’s stated goals.

The hypnotherapist will never “suggest” that someone could do something differently but instead work with the client to help identify what it is they are wanting to change. Each hypnosis session takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours and is preceded by a pre-talk where we discuss at length what the client is wanting to achieve and how they see themselves without the unwanted behaviour.

The hypnotherapist works within the client’s belief system. Sometimes a client will feel that hypnosis may conflict with their religion but every clients brings their strengths and values to the hypnosis session. A religious person may draw on their power of prayer and that becomes a valuable part of the session. A very fit and sporty person may visualise more of the resources that help with their training that enable them to be fit. Each session is unique and about the client, their values, beliefs and goals. Once again the Hypnotherapist, like the Counsellor, is only ever the facilitator.

Hypnosis sometimes elicits mixed reactions. There are some common myths and misconceptions (Read more here). Remember it is always important to discuss all questions you have with your therapist before you start the session.