Person-Centred Counselling in Action

Synopsis

Audio book out now.

It is now 25 years since the first edition of Person-Centred Counselling in Action appeared, offering the definitive exposition of the theory and practice of the person-centred approach. Since then the book has supported and inspired hundreds of thousands of trainees and practitioners worldwide. This important Fourth Edition maintains the book′s accessibility, clarity and verve whilst incorporating new developments in the approach. John McLeod joins authors Dave Mearns and Brian Thorne to contribute an exciting new chapter on research relevant to the person-centred field.

Person-Centred Counselling in Action, Fourth Edition will be an invaluable resource for those embarking on their first stages of training. Well-established practitioners and even seasoned scholars will continue to find much to interest and stimulate them.

 

Dave Mearns is professor of counselling and retired Director of the Counselling Unit of the University of Strathclyde. He has written seven books including Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy (with Mick Cooper) and is co-editor of the international journal, Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapies.

 

Brian Thorne is Emeritus Professor of Counselling at the University of East Anglia, Norwich where he was previously Director of Counselling and of the Centre for Counselling Studies. He is also a Co-founder of the Norwich Centre and continues to work there as a Professional Fellow.

 

John McLeod is Emeritus Professor of Counselling at the University of Abertay Dundee and adjunct Professor of Psychology at the University of Oslo, Norway.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Person-Centred Approach

- Definition and key principles: unconditional positive regard, empathy, genuineness.
- Example: A therapist listens attentively and validates a client's feelings of insecurity without judgment.

Chapter 2: Establishing a Person-Centred Therapeutic Relationship

- Building rapport: Creating a safe and supportive space.
- Attending to the client's experience: Focusing on their perspective and avoiding assumptions.
- Example: A therapist encourages a client to explore their thoughts and feelings without interrupting or offering solutions.

Chapter 3: Understanding the Client's Subjective World

- Active listening: Reflecting on the client's words and emotions to demonstrate understanding.
- Empathy: Stepping into the client's shoes and experiencing their emotions.
- Example: A therapist paraphrases a client's statement about feeling overwhelmed: "It sounds like you're finding things very difficult right now."

Chapter 4: Facilitating Client Growth and Change

- Facilitating self-exploration: Helping clients identify and process their emotions and experiences.
- Promoting self-acceptance: Supporting clients in recognizing their strengths and accepting their imperfections.
- Example: A therapist helps a client develop a more positive self-image by highlighting their accomplishments and positive qualities.

Chapter 5: Working with Diversity in Person-Centred Counselling

- Recognizing and respecting differences in culture, gender, sexual orientation, and other aspects of diversity.
- Adapting the approach to meet the specific needs of diverse clients.
- Example: A therapist uses a culturally appropriate language and adjusts their communication style for a client from a different cultural background.

Chapter 6: Ethical Considerations in Person-Centred Counselling

- Confidentiality: Maintaining client privacy and protecting their personal information.
- Dual relationships: Avoiding personal or professional relationships outside the therapeutic context.
- Competence and scope of practice: Ensuring that therapists are adequately trained and experienced.
- Example: A therapist refers a client to a specialist if their concerns fall outside their scope of practice.

Chapter 7: The Therapeutic Process in Action

- Exploring the case study of a client experiencing anxiety.
- Illustrating the key principles of the person-centred approach through the therapist's interventions.
- Example: The therapist validates the client's feelings of anxiety and helps them to identify their triggers and develop coping mechanisms.

Chapter 8: Research on the Effectiveness of Person-Centred Counselling

- Summarizing research findings on the efficacy of the person-centred approach.
- Discussing its benefits for a range of mental health concerns.
- Example: Studies have shown that person-centred counselling is effective in reducing anxiety, depression, and improving overall well-being.