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

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The therapist does not have a façade (like psychoanalysis); that is, the therapist’s internal and external experiences are one and the same. In short, the therapist is authentic. Unconditional Positive Regard 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. John McLeod is Emeritus Professor of Counselling at the University of Abertay Dundee and adjunct Professor of Psychology at the University of Oslo, Norway. One major difference between humanistic counselors and other therapists is that they refer to those in therapy as “clients,” not “patients.” This is because they see the therapist and client as equal partners rather than as an expert treating a patient. Dave Mearns is formerlyDirector of the Counselling Unit and Professor of Counselling at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Dave is author or co-author of four other counselling books published by SAGE: Person-Centred Counselling in Action, Second Edition, Experiences of Counselling in Action, Person-Centred Counselling Training and Person-Centred Therapy Today: New Frontiers in Theory and Practice.

Central to Rogers” (1959) theory is the notion of self or self-concept . This is defined as “the organized, consistent set of perceptions and beliefs about oneself.” It consists of all the ideas and values that characterize “I” and “me” and includes perception and valuing of “what I am” and “what I can do.” 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. Empathy is the ability to understand what the client is feeling. This refers to the therapist’s ability to understand sensitively and accurately [but not sympathetically] the client’s experience and feelings in the here and now. 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. 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.

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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

Sheila Haugh, Senior Lecturer MSc Person Centred Contemporary Psychotherapy and Applications, Metanoia, LondonThere is an almost total absence of techniques in Rogerian psychotherapy due to the unique character of each counseling relationship. However, the quality of the relationship between the client and therapist is of utmost importance. 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-centered approach. Since then the book has supported and inspired hundreds of thousands of trainees and practitioners worldwide. Brian Thorne is Emeritus Professor of Counselling at the University of East Anglia and a Founder Member of The Norwich Centre for Personal and Professional Development. He is also a Professor of Education in the College of Teachers and co-author (with Dave Mearns ) of the bestselling books, Person-Centred Counselling in Action, Second Edition (SAGE, 1999) and Person-Centred Therapy Today (SAGE, 2000). The main body of the book explores in some depth, the conditions (known as the core conditions) of empathy, acceptance and congruence, which are essential to the practice of the person- centred counsellor. The final three chapters draw on one particular case study showing how the core conditions are used in practice. These final chapters look at the experience from both the counsellor’s and the client’s point of view.

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.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).

Rogers, C. (1951). Client-centered Therapy: Its Current Practice, Implications and Theory. London: Constable. Dave Mearns is formerly Director of the Counselling Unit and Professor of Counselling at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Dave is author or co-author of four other counselling books published by SAGE: Person-Centred Counselling in Action, Second Edition, Experiences of Counselling in Action, Person-Centred Counselling Training and Person-Centred Therapy Today: New Frontiers in Theory and Practice. Brian Thorne is Emeritus Professor of Counselling at the University of East Anglia and a Founder Member of The Norwich Centre for Personal and Professional Development. He is also a Professor of Education in the College of Teachers and co-author (with Dave Mearns) of the bestselling books, Person-Centred Counselling in Action, Second Edition (SAGE, 1999) and Person-Centred Therapy Today (SAGE, 2000). Rogers, C. R. (1961). On Becoming a person: A psychotherapists view of psychotherapy. Houghton Mifflin. 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.The next Rogerian core condition is unconditional positive regard. Rogers believed that for people to grow and fulfill their potential it is important that they are valued as themselves. Rogers noticed that people tend to describe their current experiences by referring to themselves in some way, for example, “I don’t understand what’s happening” or “I feel different to how I used to feel.” 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 John McLeod has held appointments in universities in the UK, New Zealand and Italy, and is currently Professor of Counselling at the Institute for Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, Dublin, and Professor of Psychology, University of Oslo. He is committed to promoting the relevance of research as a means of informing therapy practice and improving the quality of services that are available to clients, and has received an award from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy for his exceptional contribution to research. His writing has influenced a generation of trainees in the field of counselling, counselling psychology and psychotherapy, and his books are widely adopted on training programmes across the world.