Counselling theories and methodologies

Question 1

What is the core belief of the ‘Person-Centred’ approach to counselling?

Answer 1

Developed by Carl Rogers, its core belief is that the client is the expert on themselves and has an innate capacity for growth. The counsellor’s role is to provide a supportive environment through empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness.

Question 2

What is the main focus of a ‘Psychodynamic’ counsellor?

Answer 2

A psychodynamic counsellor focuses on exploring how unconscious thoughts and past experiences, particularly from childhood, shape a person’s current feelings, behaviours, and relationships. It aims to bring the unconscious to the conscious.

Question 3

What does ‘transference’ mean in therapy?

Answer 3

Transference is when a client unconsciously redirects feelings and attitudes from a person in their past (like a parent) onto the therapist. Recognising and working with transference can be a key part of the therapeutic process.

Question 4

What is the difference between ‘empathy’ and ‘sympathy’ in a counselling context?

Answer 4

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another from their perspective (“feeling with” someone). Sympathy involves feeling pity or sorrow for someone else’s misfortune (“feeling for” someone). Counsellors aim to be empathetic, not sympathetic.