Person-Centred Counselling

Person-centred counselling is a therapeutic approach developed by the American psychologist Carl Rogers in the mid-twentieth century. Its foundational premise is that individuals have within themselves the capacity for growth and positive change, and that the role of the counsellor is not to direct or diagnose but to create the conditions, empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence, in which that growth can occur. It is one of the most widely used frameworks in the UK counselling profession and forms the basis of training at many counselling programmes.

At the University of Suffolk, this three-year full-time programme provides you with both the theoretical understanding of the person-centred approach and the practical skills to apply it in professional therapeutic relationships. You will study the philosophical foundations of the model, its key concepts, and the research evidence base for its effectiveness, as well as the broader context of counselling psychology and ethical professional practice. A significant part of the programme involves developing yourself as a person and as a practitioner: you will participate in personal development activities, engage in supervised counselling practice with real clients, and receive feedback that helps you grow both your skills and your self-awareness.

The programme requires a genuine commitment to personal as well as professional development, which is central to the person-centred philosophy.

Graduates of person-centred counselling programmes go on to work as counsellors in NHS primary care and mental health services, educational settings, employee assistance programmes, charity and voluntary sector organisations, private practice, and a range of community contexts. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study to develop advanced clinical competence or to specialise in areas such as trauma, relationship counselling, or supervision. The programme also provides a foundation for those who wish to pursue registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.