Counselling Services

• The client-centred approach, also known as person-centered therapy, is a humanistic psychological therapy developed by Carl Rogers in the mid-20th century. It is founded on the belief that
  individuals have the capacity for self-awareness and self-directed growth if provided with the
  right conditions.Key principles of the client-centered approach include:

• Unconditional Positive Regard: Therapists offer a non-judgmental and accepting attitude toward clients. This means valuing the client as a person without conditions or prerequisites.
• Empathy: Therapists strive to understand the client’s experiences from their perspective, demonstrating empathy and accurate understanding of the client’s feelings and experiences.
• Congruence: Therapists aim to be genuine and authentic in their interactions with clients, expressing themselves honestly and transparently.
• Client Autonomy: Clients are viewed as the experts in their own lives. The therapist’s role is to facilitate the client’s self-exploration and personal growth rather than directing or imposing solutions.
• Non-Directive Approach: Rather than providing advice or interpretations,therapists facilitate the client’s self-exploration through active listening, reflection, and clarification.

In client-centered therapy, the therapist creates a supportive environment where clients feel safe toexplore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This approach is often used in various therapeutic settings, including individual counselling, group therapy, and even in certain educational and organizational contexts.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used and evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach aimed at helping individuals identify and change problematic thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
  It is based on the premise that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and that changing one can lead to changes in the others.Here are some key components and principles of CBT:

• Collaborative approach: CBT is a collaborative process between the therapist and the individual seeking treatment. They work together to set goals, identify problems, and develop strategies for change.
• Identification of cognitive distortions: CBT helps individuals recognize and challenge cognitive distortions, or irrational and negative thought patterns, such as all-or-nothing thinking,
  catastrophizing, and mind reading.
• Behavioural activation: CBT often includes behavioural techniques aimed at increasing engagement in positive and rewarding activities, even when one doesn’t feel like it. This helps to counteract feelings of depression and low motivation.
• Exposure therapy: For anxiety disorders, CBT often involves exposure techniques where individuals gradually confront feared situations or stimuli in a controlled and supportive
  environment to reduce anxiety and avoidance behaviors.
• Cognitive restructuring: This involves identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and replacing them with more realistic and balanced ones. Techniques such as thought records and
  Socratic questioning are commonly used in this process.
• Skill-building: CBT teaches practical skills and strategies for coping with stress, managing emotions, and improving interpersonal relationships. These skills may include relaxation
  techniques, assertiveness training, and problem-solving skills.
• Homework assignments: Between therapy sessions, individuals are often given homework assignments to practice newly learned skills and apply therapeutic techniques in real-life situations.
• Empirical validation:
  CBT is grounded in empirical research and has a strong evidence base supporting its effectiveness across a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders.