Unstructured Therapies
These counselling therapies are relatively unstructured and allow you to explore and come to terms with unresolved issues. For example, if your distress is linked to loss, bereavement or major changes within your life, this type of therapy may be more relevant than the structured therapies. The unstructured nature of the work means that the therapy can last over a much longer period and go deeper into issues.
Person-centred Counselling
The counselling relationship between counsellor and client promotes positive change as you develop an understanding of how past experiences and relationships can be negatively impacting your sense of self worth or affecting your current relationships.
Person-centred counselling allows you to decide what issues you would like to bring to each session, and as therapy progresses you will come to view yourself as having the power to make positive changes in your life.
See: The British Association for the Person-Centred Approach (BAPCA) at www.bapca.org.uk
Existentialist Counselling
This approach explores the 'Whys' of life-why are we here and what are we doing? It looks at the choices you consciously or unconsciously make in life, and the meanings and attitudes you attach to them. Furthermore, it explores the meanings that we give towards our life and helps you discover other, sometimes hidden, meanings within your existence.
This therapy is very useful when dealing with bereavement and other forms of loss or critical life change where the client is entering into a new world or trying to rebuild their old one.
See: The Society for Existential Analysis (SEA) at www.existentialanalysis.org.uk