Person-Centred Counselling in Action, 3rd Edition (Counselling in Action series)

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Sheila Haugh, Senior Lecturer MSc Person Centred Contemporary Psychotherapy and Applications, Metanoia, London Unlike other therapies, the client is responsible for improving his or her life, not the therapist. This is a deliberate change from psychoanalysis and behavioral therapies, where the patient is diagnosed and treated by a doctor. 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. Because the person-centered counselor places so much emphasis on genuineness and being led by the client, they do not place the same emphasis on time and technique boundaries as a psychodynamic therapist. A person-centered counselor might diverge considerably from orthodox counseling techniques if they judged it appropriate. Corey, G. (1991). Invited commentary on macrostrategies for delivery of mental health counseling services.

The chapter by Steve Cox is one of the best I have seen on the relational approach. It could be read with advantage by any therapist claiming to be integrative because it covers so much ground so well. The fourth chapter is by Glenn Fleish, and is a completely up to date look at Focusing and body language. Again it is extremely well done and contains a moving case study." Believing strongly that theory should come out of practice rather than the other way round, Rogers developed his theory based on his work with emotionally troubled people and claimed that we have a remarkable capacity for self-healing and personal growth leading towards self-actualization. He emphasized the person’s current perception and how we live in the here and now. It is that the individual has within himself or herself vast resources for self-understanding, for altering his or her self-concept, attitudes and self-directed behavior – and that these resources can be tapped if only a definable climate of facilitative psychological attitudes can be provided” (1980, p.115-117).One reason why Rogers (1951) rejected interpretation was that he believed that, although symptoms did arise from past experience, it was more useful for the client to focus on the present and future than on the past. Rather than just liberating clients from their past, as psychodynamic therapists aim to do, Rogerians hope to help their clients to achieve personal growth and eventually to self-actualize.

In this book the authors undertake to explain the theories and principles of person centred counselling by relating them to actual practice. The book is intended as a practical and comprehensive guide for trainee counsellors, those training them and also for established counsellors wishing to familiarise themselves with the person centred approach to counselling. A person enters person-centered therapy in a state of incongruence. It is the role of the therapists to reverse this situation. Rogers (1959) called his therapeutic approach client-centered or person-centered therapy because of the focus on the person’s subjective view of the world.Continuing to offer a clear exposition of the theory and practice of the approach, Person-Centred Counselling in Action, Third Edition will be invaluable 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. Rogers, C. (1951). Client-centered Therapy: Its Current Practice, Implications and Theory. London: Constable.

Congruence refers to the therapist being genuine and transparent. The therapist’s role is to create a safe, non-judgmental environment that encourages self-exploration and self-understanding, facilitating the client’s natural tendency toward self-actualization. References Praise for previous editions: 'An important book...a most sophisticated text. Mearns and Thorne have written a book for all counsellors and psychotherapists. The reader will be left both grateful and hungry for more' - British Journal of Guidance and Counselling 'The discussion of empathy, acceptance and congruence is central and should be required reading for all trainees working to understand the richness of these core concepts...outstanding' - Counselling and Psychotherapy, The Journal of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy 'Without doubt the clearest description of the person-centred approach to counselling that I have read, apart from Carl Rogers' own writings. I felt that I had got to know both Dave Mearns and Brian Thorne through their offering the reader their own congruence and I found this aspect of the book at times quite moving' - Social Work Today 'Gives real insight into person-centred counselling...This is a gentle book; an absolute delight to read (I couldn't put it down) as it held me in the realm of my own feelings. I would like to thank both authors for sharing so much of their intimate selves.I recommend this book to trainee counsellors, trained counsellors, clients and those involved in the helping professions. The discussion of empathy, acceptance and congruence is central and should be required reading for all trainees working to understand the richness of these core concepts... outstandThis fourth edition has all the strengths of the previous editions but includes a new chapter on recent developments in person-centred theory and practice, as well as a chapter on developments in research by John McLeod. The chapter on research, which comes at the end of the book, is an excellent explanation of why person-centred practitioners must both be informed by and engage with research, which will totally convince the doubters (like me). An important part of the task of the person-centered counselor is to follow precisely what the client is feeling and to communicate to them that the therapist understands what they are feeling. Mearns, P., & Thorne, B. (1988). Person-Centred Counselling in Action (Counselling in Action series). London: SAGE Publications Ltd. Person-centred counselling originated in 1930’s and 40’s from the work of the American psychologist Carl Rogers. Rogers came to believe that as it is the client who is hurting, then ultimately it is the client themselves who holds the answers about how best to move forward. At the time, this approach was a departure from others forms of counselling which relied on clients being advised, guided or somehow influenced on which direction to take. Using the person centred approach, it is the counsellor’s job to help the client connect with their own inner resources enabling them to find their own unique solutions. Congruence is also called genuineness. Congruence is the most important attribute in counseling, according to Rogers. This means that, unlike the psychodynamic therapist who generally maintains a “blank screen” and reveals little of their own personality in therapy, the Rogerian is keen to allow the client to experience them as they really are.