What Is Counselling Therapy?

In our “Counselling Explained” section, we talk about how counselling therapy is a process of change. Exactly how this process comes about though changes depending on the approach your counsellor takes to therapy. This might come as a surprise, but there is not one “right” way to do counselling. Each person is different, and so responds differently to different modes or approaches to therapy. This is perfectly normal, and research has proven that despite the many different methods of counselling used, all are about equally effective! Here are some of the therapy approaches that our counsellors are trained in:

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Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

One of the fastest-growing modes of therapy is Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT was developed in the 1970s, and focuses primarily on our thoughts, behaviours, and how those two aspects of our functioning contribute to emotions. By becoming more aware of what is going on in our bodies, and learning to monitor our thoughts and actions, it can lead to beneficial emotional states.

Person Centered Therapy

Developed by Carl Rogers in the 1960s as a response to a medical or clinical approach to psychology, Person-Centered Therapy (PCT) sees the counselling participant not as a patient, but as a person. PCT recognizes that, although the counsellor may have advanced training in psychology, the only “expert” in the room is the person who can truly understand their life situation. This modality empowers the counselling participant to be an active contributor to the counsellor process.

Attachment Therapy

Coming out of research by Dr. Bowlby, attachment therapy looks at the way that we respond to important relationships in our lives. At the core of our humanity is a basic need for deep, unconditional belonging. When we do not find this in our lives, we protect ourselves – either through conflict or through retreat. By understanding and working through our own reactions to situations, we can get to a place of better understanding and belonging with ourselves and with others.

Strengths Based Therapy

Strengths-Based Therapy (SBT) is a form of positive psychology. Rather than looking primarily at what is going wrong in your life, it looks at what is going right. SBT recognizes that, even though you might not be in your ideal place of functioning, you are already using abilities and resources on a daily basis. By identifying these and empowering you in them, it allows you to take back control in other areas of your life!

Existential Therapy

Existential Therapy comes out of the work of the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, and asks about the big questions in life. In this therapy the counselling participant defines what is important to them. Through examining their own life and priorities, or “meaning making,” they are able to see a little clearer what they want out of life. And when they know what they want out of life, then together with the counsellor they can come up with a clear path to get there.

Start Your Counselling Journey Today!

Book a FREE 25-min Complimentary Consultation by Calling (250) 859-5653

Evergreen Counselling Group is proud to serve the communities of Kelowna, Vernon, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Armstrong, and the rest of the North Okanagan and Central Okanagan Regional Districts. “We acknowledge that our business is located on the traditional, ancestral, unseeded territory of the Syilx/Okanagan people.”