I want to be genuine and spontaneous and me; but you've got to help me.
You've got to hold out your hand, even when that's the last thing I seem to want.
Only you can wipe away from my eyes the blank stare of the breathing dead.
Only you can call me into aliveness. Each time you're kind, and gentle, and encouraging, each time you try to understand because you really care, my heart begins to grow wings, very small wings, very feeble wings, but wings!
Extract from Poem
Please Hear What I am not Saying.
Charles C. Finn
This Critique of Person Centred Counselling offers an insight into The Person Centred Approach developed by Carl Rogers. I will firstly introduce Rogers and his influences. An exploration of Person Centred Counselling
* The counsellor ensures a non directive approach; mindful their behaviour is not directing the client by making interpretations, diagnoses, labelling or giving advice. The counsellor facilitates the client’s growth through collaborative interaction ensuring the client is in control of the content and pace of the counselling. The role of the expert is transferred from the counsellor to the client, who is regarded as responsible for and capable of reaching their own solutions to their problems. * Rogers stressed the attitude of the counsellor was one of the most important factors in successful therapy, demonstrating congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathic understanding towards the client.
Congruence
The counsellor is authentic, open and transparent; willing to relate to the client without hiding behind a professional guard. The counsellor’s outward responses as well as their internal experiences match. Congruence is the most important attribute in counselling according to Rogers.

Rogers (2004:282) stipulates:
If therapy is to occur, it seems necessary that the therapist be, in the relationship, a unified, or integrated, or congruent person. What I mean is that within the relationship he is exactly what he is – not a facade, or a