Counselling Modalities Information Leaflet
Counselling Modalities Information Leaflet
Counselling Modalities Information Leaflet
Counselling Modalities
This is a summary of the main therapeutic orientations used in counselling, including those that may be used across Edinburgh agencies. The majority of agencies offer Person Centred, Psychodynamic, Gestalt and Integrative approaches. The Forum s minimum recommended standard for training in any approach is !iploma level. It should be noted that that due to the constraints of funding and "aiting lists, agencies are generally not in a position to offer clients a specific choice of orientation.
Psychodynamic counselling
This is based on the idea that past e(periences have a bearing on e(periences and feelings in the present, and that important relationships, perhaps from early childhood, may be replayed "ith other people later in life. It translates the principles and insights of psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy into once*a*"ee# counselling. The counsellor usually aims to be as neutral a figure as possible, giving little information about him or herself, ma#ing it more li#ely that important relationships 'past or present) "ill be reflected in the relationship bet"een the client and the counsellor. This relationship is therefore an important source of insight for both parties, and helps the client to %"or# through their difficulties. !eveloping a trusting and reliable relationship "ith the counsellor is essential for this "or#.
.gain, the counsellor uses the relationship "ith the client as a means of healing and change.
Transpersonal counselling
This is an integrative and holistic approach that utilises creative imagination. It assumes a spiritual dimension to life and human nature. It also presupposes the interconnectedness of all beings "ith a higher spiritual po"er, and specifically addresses the bridge bet"een the t"o.
Transpersonal counselling emphasises personal empo"erment. It ta#es account of the client s past e(periences, but also loo#s to the future and "hat is li#ely to unfold for them, the challenges they may face and the /ualities that need to emerge in them to meet those challenges. Its basic belief is that "hatever the hardships of human e(perience, the core essence, or soul, remains undamaged.
Existential counselling
This helps people to clarify, thin# about and understand life, so that they can live it "ell. It encourages them to focus on the basic assumptions they ma#e about it, and about themselves, so they can come to terms "ith life as it is. It allo"s them to ma#e sense of their e(istence. The counselling focuses the client on ho" much they already ta#e charge of their life, and not on "hat they are doing "rong. .t the same time, it ta#es note of any real limitations, so that they can ma#e choices based on a true vie" of the options available.
Gestalt counselling
This is a more directive type of counselling, focusing on gestalten 'patterns of thought, feeling and activity). It encourages people to have an active a"areness of their present situation, and also incorporates communication that goes beyond "ords. . #ey part of gestalt counselling is the dramatisation, or acting out, of important conflicts in a person s life. This could involve using t"o or more chairs, for instance, so that they can physically ta#e up different positions to represent different aspects of themselves.
Rational-emotive
ehavioural counselling
This ta#es the vie" that people have t"o main goals in life- to stay alive and to be happy. It aims to remove the obstacles that people place in their o"n "ay, and also to achieve a healthy balance bet"een short*term and long*term goals.
Psychosynthesis
. holistic approach to self*realisation and the development of potential. Includes creative approaches such as art"or#, metaphor and imagery, visuali7ation, therapeutic "riting etc.
$ntegrative
Combines ideas from more than one theoretical approach 'usually including person centred and psychodynamic, and others), dra"ing on elements of each as appropriate for the client 9 issues.
y ,- Mindell&
.n emphasis on a"areness over specific interventions. Process +or#, developed by .rnold 0indell, has roots in :ungian Psychology and Taoism. Its methods reflect a dedication to accurately follo"ing the "ay of nature, "hile bringing a"areness into the patterns structuring our lives8 including those parts normally unseen, unappreciated, disturbing or marginali7ed. 6ringing a"areness into this interaction, a surprising "isdom emerges and a creative "ay for"ard in even the most difficult situations.
Counselling Psychology
Integrating psychological theory "ith therapeutic practice. .n active collaborative relationship
which can both facilitate the exploration of underlying issues and can empower people to confront change.
This outline includes extracts from a draft publication by Mind (National Association for Mental Health), from the L-P N !uide to "elf Help and Tal#in$ Therapies, and from %ebsites related to the different modalities&