An investigation into the client at the heart of therapy

This paper reports on an exploration of the experience of the client at the heart of therapy. A grounded theory analysis of clients' experiences of therapy provided through a voluntary sector counselling service was undertaken, and generated four main categories: permission, engagement, transparency and restructuring. The results of the study are presented in a way that hopefully retains much of the richness of what people have reported about their experience of counselling. The findings of the study are discussed in terms of the idea that counselling can provide a setting where people can have common therapeutic requirements met.