COUNSELLING IN CENTRAL NORWICH NR2

My core training is person-centred therapy, an approach pioneered by Carl Rogers in the 1940s as an alternative to traditional psychotherapy. I have also completed training in mindfulness for therapists through Matrix college. I describe my way of working as a mindfulness-based approach to person-centred therapy.

Person-centred therapy is a humanistic approach to psychotherapy that places the individual at the centre of the therapeutic process. It emphasizes the importance of creating a non-judgmental, empathic and supportive environment, in which the client can feel safe to explore and express their thoughts, feelings and experiences. The therapist aims to facilitate the client's self-discovery and personal growth by focusing on their unique perspectives, values and strengths. The client is seen as the expert on their own life and the therapist's role is to provide a warm and respectful atmosphere that empowers the client to find their own solutions to the challenges they face.

Mindfulness-based therapy is a type of psychotherapy that emphasizes the practice of mindfulness techniques (such as meditation and breathing practices) to help individuals become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations in the present moment. This therapy aims to cultivate a non-judgmental and compassionate attitude towards oneself, increase self-awareness, and develop skills for coping with difficult thoughts and emotions.

While person-centred therapy and mindfulness-based therapy may seem quite different at first glance, they can actually be combined to create a powerful therapeutic approach. One of the main reasons these two approaches work so well together is because they share a similar focus on the individual's subjective experience. In both approaches, the therapist creates a safe, non-judgmental space for the individual to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This can be especially beneficial for individuals who have a hard time expressing themselves, as it can help them to feel more comfortable and open.

A mindfulness-based approach to person-centred therapy can be particularly effective in working with trauma because it encourages individuals to focus on the present moment, rather than getting caught up in past traumatic experiences. By using mindfulness techniques, such as breathing, awareness and acceptance, individuals can learn to manage their reactions to triggers and develop a greater sense of control over their thoughts and emotions. This can help them to feel more grounded and less reactive, making it easier to process

and work through past traumas. Additionally, the person-centred approach allows individuals to feel heard and understood, which can be particularly important for those who have experienced trauma.

In conclusion, a mindfulness-based approach to person-centred therapy integrates principles of mindfulness, such as non-judgmental awareness and acceptance, into the person-centred therapeutic process. The therapist facilitates a non-judgmental, empathic and accepting relationship with the client, and encourages the client to focus on their present-moment experiences. The therapist also helps the client to develop self-compassion and

self-awareness, and to relate to their thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental way. Through this process, the client is able to gain insight into their inner experiences, and make positive changes in their life.