Can EMDR Make Things Worse? Understanding Increased Distress
If you are considering EMDR, you may worry that opening up painful experiences will leave you feeling worse. Perhaps you have already started therapy and noticed that things feel harder between appointments. EMDR can temporarily increase distress, and some people experience a more significant worsening of symptoms. Any deterioration deserves attention. You should never feel […]
Does EMDR Really Work
If you’re considering EMDR therapy, it’s reasonable to ask whether it actually works. The short answer is yes, EMDR can help, particularly with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But it isn’t a guaranteed result, and your experience will depend on what you’re dealing with and how the therapy is paced. What does the evidence say? EMDR […]
EMDR Therapy for Anxiety
Anxiety can make everyday life feel harder than it needs to. You might replay conversations, expect something to go wrong or feel tense in situations that other people seem to take in their stride. Perhaps you know you are safe, but your body reacts as though you are not. If your anxiety is connected to […]
Congruence in Person-Centred Counselling: What It Means in Practice
Congruence is one of the three core conditions in person-centred counselling, alongside empathy and unconditional positive regard. Carl Rogers used the term to describe a counsellor who is genuine in the therapeutic relationship: aware of their own experience and able to respond without hiding behind a professional façade. For counselling students, the tricky part is […]
The Role of the Counsellor in the Person-Centred Approach
What does a person-centred counsellor actually do? For counselling students, the answer can be confusing. The approach is non-directive, yet the counsellor’s role involves far more than sitting quietly and listening. In person-centred counselling, the counsellor works to build a relationship in which the client can explore their experiences without feeling judged or pushed towards […]
Common Misunderstandings of the Person-Centred Approach
The person-centred approach (PCA) is sometimes described as “just listening” or “being nice”. These descriptions miss the skill involved. Carl Rogers developed an approach in which the counsellor’s relationship with the client is central to therapeutic change. For counselling students, it helps to look beyond familiar labels and consider what the approach asks of the […]
