Attachment Theory: Examines the impact of early relationships, particularly with caregivers, on a person’s emotional development and ability to form healthy relationships. It emphasises how secure or insecure attachments in childhood can affect emotional patterns and relational behaviours throughout life.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): A structured, goal-oriented form of therapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours. CBT helps clients develop more balanced and constructive ways of thinking, which in turn improves emotional regulation and coping strategies.

Congruence: The therapist is genuine and transparent with the client, which helps build trust and a strong therapeutic relationship.

Empathy: The therapist strives to understand the client’s experiences from their perspective and communicates this understanding back to the client. This process of empathic understanding helps the client feel heard and validated, which can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth and healing.

Humanistic Approach: Emphasises the inherent worth, potential, and autonomy of each individual. It focuses on self-actualisation, personal growth, and viewing clients as experts in their own experiences, often encouraging self-exploration and self-acceptance.

Person-Centred Integrative Counselling: Refers to a counselling style where the therapist primarily works within a person-centred framework—emphasising empathy, unconditional positive regard, congruence, and client autonomy—while drawing on insights from other therapeutic models to enhance their understanding of the client.

Person-Centred Therapy: Is all about helping you feel heard, understood, and accepted so you can find your own answers and grow. It’s based on the idea that, deep down, we all have the ability to work through challenges and make positive changes in our lives — sometimes we just need the right support. The three key ingredients in this approach are:

1. Acceptance without judgment – The counsellor treats you with respect and kindness, no matter what you’re going through.
2. Understanding your feelings – They really listen and try to see things from your point of view.
3. Being real and honest – They’re not all-knowing; they’re open and genuine.

Person-centred therapy puts you in the driver’s seat. You decide what to talk about, and the counsellor helps you explore your thoughts and feelings safely. The goal? Helping you gain confidence, make sense of things, and grow into the best version of yourself.

Psychodynamic Theory: Focuses on understanding how unconscious thoughts, feelings, and past experiences—particularly from childhood—influence current behaviour and emotional well-being. Therapy often explores unresolved conflicts and repressed emotions to foster insight and change.

Transactional Analysis: A theory of psychology and communication that examines interactions (or “transactions”) between individuals based on three ego states: Parent, Adult, and Child. It helps clients understand patterns in their relationships and develop healthier ways of relating to others.

Unconditional Positive Regard: The therapist accepts and values the client for who they are, regardless of their thoughts, feelings, or behaviours. This unconditional acceptance helps clients feel safe to be their authentic selves and to express their true thoughts and emotions.