Person Centred Counselling in Edinburgh

Person centred counselling is the provision of non clinical talking therapy using a humanistic listening model with non judgmental approach and non interpretation. There is no treatment, it is not therapy.

Counsellors are often told in training that they have two ears and one mouth and to use them in that proportion. Therefore the focus is on providing a safe listening space for clients to present and discuss their issues and problems and feelings.

Unless stated otherwise counselling is provided under the accreditation of the NACHP. Purely non clinical work rests with UKAHPP.

What happens during person centred counselling

Although the role of the therapist is primarily to providing a safe, non judgemental listening space, there are other functions of the therapist as well, which sets counselling apart from a conversation with a friend or family member.

When a client is talking and presenting their feelings, they will often say things that are rooted in their hidden belief systems or subconscious, things they are not fully consciously aware of. One of the roles of the counsellor is to illustrate these by various means of pointing them out to the client within the counselling process.

Methods include reflection, reflecting back what was said, summarising what was said, mirroring back opinions that have been suggested, and occasionally challenging gently whether that was what was meant.

It is common for clients to be surprised by what they have said and what they have expressed, and awareness of these themes can be very enlightening.

Empathy within the counselling process

When we talk to friends and family we expect sympathy, in its purest form the parental type hug and being told it will “be ok”. In counselling a different process is used: empathy. Empathy means the counsellor does care about the client, but in a professional sense. Thus the counsellor will attempt to use the counselling process to see the world and the problem through the “eyes of the client”, and from that position of partial understanding help to “walk with them” and help them formulate solutions or positive reactions. If the counsellor were to begin feeling sympathetic, then their own emotions might be triggered and this could damage the counselling process.

Styles of person centred counselling

There are many variations on a theme when it comes to styles of counselling generally, and person centred counselling is no different. Essentially however the characteristics are non judgement, unconditional positive regard, listening more than talking, withholding from interpretation and providing a healing space for the client to talk in safety.

What does person centred counselling help with?

Person centred counselling works best when there is a good rapport between the client and the counsellor, and this can be a very individual thing. The client will probably benefit most if they have a desire to talk openly and discuss their issues which has been blocked.  Often the client will come to the counselling process desperate for someone to “just listen to them”.

Person centred counselling is therefore often beneficial for people at a crossroads in life, trying to move on, struggling with change, frustrated by relationships or in a mix of emotions.  People in the low severity stages of what might otherwise become depression, anxiety, bipolar, eating disorders, grief, stress, anger and other related problems may seek counselling support, especially if provided as a recommended 2nd line alternative to CBT based psychological therapies (as recommended by NICE).

People with more serious mental health conditions, more serious trauma or developmental issues, or those who find it hard to speak may benefit more from psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis and psychotherapy methods are more suited to diagnosed or longer term conditions, especially in conjunction with CBT based psychological therapies as recommended by NICE, or Cognitive Behavioural Analysis for more in depth acute depression.

Who provides person centred counselling in Edinburgh?

Stuart and his partner Denise are both full practitioner members of the National Association of Counsellors Hypnotherapists and Psychotherapists, the only UK charity representing all three psychological therapies, and a CNHC regulatory route for clinical hypnotherapy.

Unlike some other counsellors, Stuart and Denise are also trained in Analysis, clinical hypnotherapy and forms of psychotherapy including CBT and cognitive behavioural analysis. They are therefore able to offer person centred counselling where needed, but also psychoanalysis, CBT, cognitive behavioural analysis, psychotherapy, life coaching, clinical hypnotherapy and mindfulness, thus adapting to the needs of the individual client.

Stuart works with teenagers, adults and couples. Denise works with all ages but not couples. Both are PVG Disclosure Scotland listed to work with vulnerable adults and young people.

Contact via the contact us page HERE

Primary Registration

New Specifically Trauma related site NEW! HERE

Key Search terms
anxiety, addictions, quit smoking, phobias, fear of flying, weight loss, panic attacks, gastric band hypnotherapy, alcohol abuse, food addiction, gambling addiction, depression, drug abuse, sleep disorders, insomnia, eating disorders, sexual issues, pain management, irritable bowel syndrome, low self-confidence, post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), sex addiction, relationship issues, sports performance, obsessions and compulsions, low self-esteem, stress, exam stress, blushing, tinnitus, childbirth, anger management, relaxation, chronic fatigue syndrome, bruxism (teeth grinding), public speaking, stuttering, anxiety, generalised anxiety disorder, relationship issues, depression, panic disorder, phobias, feeling sad, family issues, affairs and betrayals, separation and divorce, seasonal affective disorder (sad), bipolar disorder, postnatal depression, addiction(s), abuse, bereavement, low self-esteem, child related issues, personality disorders, alcoholism, low self-confidence, stress, anger management, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, depression and anxiety in children, sex addiction, eating disorders, drug abuse, borderline personality disorder, gambling, post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), binge-eating disorder, sex problems, behaviour problems, trauma, obsessive compulsive disorder (ocd), hoarding, suicidal thoughts, smoking, internet addiction, work-related stress, separation anxiety, loneliness, childhood bullying, attachment disorder in children, domestic violence, childhood bereavement, anorexia nervosa, children’s learning difficulties, narcissistic personality disorder, bulimia nervosa, asperger’s syndrome, self-harm, gender dysphoria, physical abuse, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, sexuality, career, autism, adhd, dependent personality disorder, dissociation, paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, attachment disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, passive aggressive behaviour, infertility, chronic fatigue syndrome/me, paranoia, miscarriage, carer support, young carers, abortion, cancer counselling, disabilities, spirituality, bullying, adoption, pregnancy and birth,mlearning difficulties, hearing voices, dementia, redundancy, psychosis, discrimination, mental health, schizophrenia, tourette’s syndrome, hiv/aids counselling, supervisor, supervision, cbt, supervisors, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Glasgow, Falkirk, Scotland