Catherine Hayes Consultancy - CHC

How I work
Person- centred therapy is part of the humanistic family and was identified as a new approach to psychotherapy in 1940 by Carl Ransom Rogers. Originally it was called Client- Centred Therapy.
Rogers identified, by listening to his patients, who he chose to call clients, the client knew what hurt and what direction they needed to move in. (Rogers 1961)
In the 1940’s this concept was counter cultural and the client was, for the first time, perceived as the

active agent of change in the therapeutic relationship.( Kirschenbaum 2007)

Here is an example of when someone may seek therapy:

Terry grew up in a judgmental atmosphere. He never got anything right in the eyes of his father and quickly discovered if he kept quiet he would not be a subject of criticism. By not receiving criticism Terry felt accepted

Terry has found a way of avoiding criticism by being quiet. He believes he needs to be quiet in order to experience acceptance. In the person-centred approach it is recognised people seek love and acceptance from others. If you believe you cause others to feel judging of you, you will start to believe you are at fault.
On encountering situations where Terry needs to speak out it is likely he will experience a high degree of anxiety. Terry may go to see his GP as he realises having strong feelings of anxiety that may involve panic attacks are preventing him from progressing. Terry may be using drugs or alcohol or food in order to cope and could be described as feeling depressed as a result of this.
Research shows that the person-centred approach is equal to CBT in regards to working with clients experiencing anxiety and depression and is now offered in the NHS under the name of ‘Counselling for Depression’ (Sage Sanders & Hill 2014) Clients experiencing trauma benefit from a person-centred approach. (Murphy & Joseph 2013) People often considered to be the most hard to reach, such as long term psychiatric patients benefit from the person-centred approach. (Sanders 2013) Many people use the approach for personal development

References :
Rogers Carl R 1961 On becoming a person. London: Constable.
Kirschenbaum H 2007 The Life and work of Carl Rogers Ross-on-Wye: PCCS Books.
Sanders & Hill 2014 Counselling for Depression: Sage

Murphy D and Joseph S (2013) Trauma and the Therapeutic Relationship
Sanders P 2013 The Tribes of the Person – Centred Nation 2nd edition. Ross- on -Wye: PCCS

(Extract adapted from K Hayes chapter in The Beginner’s Guide to Counselling & Psychotherapy :Ed S. Palmer 2014 Sage)

What is counselling?

Counselling is an opportunity for you to speak confidentially about any aspect of your life.
Emotional distress, challenges and life changes are very powerful experiences and often very troubling.
Ways of coping with distress can be confusing and may include very difficult effects such as sleeplessness, anxiety and deep sadness.Give yourself the time to be listened to carefully and respectfully - some time for you.