Person-centred counselling: what the research says

UK guidance lists a person-centred counselling model for low mood; benefits are mostly short-term. Evidence for anxiety is limited.

What a session is

A talking therapy where the counsellor listens closely, with warmth and without judgement, and helps you find your own answers. They do not usually give advice.

What the research says

• Low mood: UK guidance lists counselling for depression, a person-centred model, as an option after CBT-type therapies. Benefits may fade after sessions end. Good evidence it helps · NICE, 2022 · NHS England, 2025 · Psychotherapy Research, 2024
• Stress: Studies of counselling at GP surgeries found small, short-term benefits for stress and nerves. German experts accepted studies for stress-related problems. Some evidence it may help · Cochrane, 2022 · Wissenschaftlicher Beirat Psychotherapie (German statutory advisory board, BÄK/BPtK), 2017
• Worry and anxiety: Fewer good studies than for CBT. German experts found too little evidence for anxiety; UK guidance recommends CBT or applied relaxation first. Limited evidence · Wissenschaftlicher Beirat Psychotherapie (German statutory advisory board, BÄK/BPtK), 2017 · NICE, 2020
• Grief: One way to get support after loss. Not shown to help everyone who grieves; it may matter more when grief is not easing. Limited evidence · NHS, 2026 · WHO, 2013
• Sleep, back pain and menopause: Not studied for sleep, pain or menopause in the sources we use. CBT, a different talking therapy, has evidence for these. No good evidence yet · NHS, 2024 · NHS, 2026 · NHS, 2026

More on each need: Lift your mood · Handle stress better · Feel calmer · Grief and loss · Sleep better

Is it safe?

Talking about painful feelings can be upsetting at first; tell your counsellor. If you have bipolar disorder, psychosis, an eating disorder or a personality disorder, talk to your GP first. Choose a therapist on a register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. NHS, 2025 · NHS, 2025

Sessions on Sissoo complement medical care and never replace it. Please don’t stop or change any treatment without talking to your doctor. If you feel very low or think about ending your life, call your local emergency number now.

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Checked 22 October 2026. Next check by April 2027. How we rate the evidence.