GLOSSARY OF COUNSELLING TERMS
HUMANISTIC
Regardless of our own personal history and upbringing we try hard to be the best we can as well as to be contented and work towards reaching our potential.
INTEGRATIVE
is when several distinct models of counselling and psychotherapy are used together in a converging way rather than separately.
PERSON CENTRED
is based on the assumption that an individual (client) seeking help in the resolution of a problem can enter into a relationship with another individual (counsellor) who is sufficiently accepting and permissive to allow the client to freely express emotions. This will enable the client to come to terms with negative feelings which may have caused emotional problems, and help develop inner resources.
GESTALT
is derived from the German for "organised whole" and is based on the belief that the human response to experiences is summed up in a person's thoughts, feelings and actions. The client gains self-awareness by analysing behaviour and body language and giving expression to repressed feelings. Treatment often includes acting out scenarios and dream recall.
TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS (TA)
is based on the belief that everyone has a child, adult and parent self within them and, within each social interaction, one self predominates. By recognising these roles, a client can choose which one to adopt and so change behaviour. This form of therapy has produced the term "inner child" used to describe unfulfilled needs from childhood.