What Is Meant by Non-Directive Counseling?

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Non-directive counseling includes any type of counseling in which the counselor does not offer any direct advice or direction. Methods used in non-directive counseling allow the patient to hear themselves discuss their own options out loud to come to a coherent decision.

Non-directive counseling was first introduced by Carl Rogers, and tries to approach counseling in the same manner as client-centered counseling does. Some therapists and counselors disagree with client-centered counseling as they feel many people entering counseling would benefit more from an exact direction offered to them by a qualified professional. In non-directive counseling, the client is only guided in their own existing decision-making skills.