Difference Between Directive, Non-Directive and Eclectic Counselling

Have you ever felt exhausted and thought that ‘May be I should go for counselling’? But confused which counselling method can help you better? Therapists use various counselling methods for different life challenges. The most common counselling styles used in therapy are directive, non-directive, and eclectic counselling.

Understanding these methods is important to get the right counselling style according to the challenges. There are some subtle but notable differences between these counselling styles. In this blog, we will discuss the definitions and the difference between directive, non-directive, and eclectic counselling. Let’s get started!

What is Directive Counselling?

Directive Counselling is a treatment approach in which the psychotherapist is in charge of the treatment. This approach was started by E.G. Williamson. It is a counsellor-centered therapy approach where the psychotherapist plays an active role in the counselling. In this process, professionals help to identify the problems, find the root causes, and provide required guidance in a directive approach.

They recommend a 3-step plan to deal with your life challenges. The 3 steps are:

1. Asks questions on themes of their choice
2. Analyses the client’s replies or viewpoints
3. Propose measures or solutions to influence the client’s or patient’s decision-making

For example, suppose you are confused about which career you should pursue after completing your graduation. You are not sure whether to continue your further education, apply for jobs, or follow your passion to create the career you have always dreamed of. To deal with this issue, a professional will recommend to:

1. Create a list of the professions according to your academic strengths and career goals.
2. Collect the data on the particular career paths
3. Join certified short courses to find better career opportunities.

Steps of Directive Counselling

• Step 1: Analysis

The first step is to gather data from many sources to understand the client thoroughly. These sources are specific to the patient. Every patient is different. So the sources that will draw an accurate image of the patient also vary from person to person.

• Step 2: Synthesis

In the second step, professionals categorise and summarise the data. They go through synthesis to determine the patient’s assets, liabilities, and other financial information. This process also reveals what adjustments the patient made to cope with life and their failure to cope with the demands of a typical social environment.

• Step 3: Diagnosis

The third step is mainly about forming conclusions about the nature and causes of the issues of patients.

• Step 4: Prognosis

On the fourth step, they project how the client’s problem can develop in the future.

• Step 5: Counselling

The fifth step entails the counsellor working with the client to make changes in their lives. When we talk about counselling sessions, this step is what we usually envision. But, as you can see, it is only a link in a chain of plans that counsellors follow to identify problems that their clients face and come up with a solution.

• Step 6: Follow-up

In the sixth and last step, the counsellor assists and determines the counselling’s efficacy.

What is Non-Directive Counselling?

Non-directive counselling is a person-centered approach in which the client or patient sets the agenda and the therapist functions as a follower or tracker. It is also known as Rogerian Theory, as this approach was started by the famous psychologist Carl Rogers. The patient is at the centre of this counselling method. However, they can communicate every detail regarding their issues without fear of being judged.

On the other hand, the counsellor aims to create a safe and comfortable space for the patient to share their thoughts. The counsellor and the patient form a bond based on mutual trust, acceptance, and understanding. Before making a final decision, they aid their clients in analysing, synthesising, and diagnosing their challenges.

Moreover, they also discuss the future growth of their problems, aspire to find possible solutions, and analyse their strengths and repercussions. This counselling style is also referred to as “permissive” counselling since the patient is allowed the freedom to talk about their difficulties and solve their problem.

For instance, suppose you are a 24-year-old, feeling lost and disconnected from your academic journey, and visit a counsellor to share your thoughts, anxiety, and helplessness. In this situation, the counsellor will create a safe and non-judgmental space to encourage you to express your thoughts and emotions openly through open-ended questions, gentle and empathetic listening. While sharing your mental condition, you will get the clarity of what you want to do. It will help you to decide your future steps to grow better.

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Steps of Non-Directive Counselling

1. First of all, an individual seeks counselling due to their emotional and mental challenges.
2. The counsellor explains the situation by stating that they can not provide solutions, but they can create a space and an environment where the client can come up with answers or solutions to their problems.
3. They approach the patient to express their problem, thoughts, fears, and emotions.
4. The counsellor accepts and acknowledges both happy and negative emotions.
5. They assess a steady development of their emotional release.
6. As the client acknowledges and accepts their feelings and desires on an emotional and intellectual level, they perceive the decisions they must make and the options available to them.
7. The counsellor helps to look into the positive aspects of resolving the problem and being able to take shape.
8. Once the patient feels better and relieved, they can deal with their challenges without any assistance.

What is Eclectic Counselling?

Eclectic counselling is a blend of directive and non-directive techniques. Counsellors use this method according to their clients’ problems. This counselling method was introduced by F.C. Thorne.In this method, the counsellor may begin with a directive approach.

Later, they will convert to a non-directive approach. They can also start with a non-directive approach and then move to a directive approach if required. So, they use both directive and non-directive counselling, as well as any other technique if considered effective for changing the counsellee’s views and attitudes. As a result, the counsellor might switch between directive and non-directive strategies depending on the needs of the scenario.

For example, suppose you are struggling with workplace stress and unresolved grief of losing a childhood friend recently. A counsellor will begin with directive therapy and help you to identify instant stress triggers and recommend some time management tips. Gradually, as sessions progress, they will start a non-directive method and let you talk about your emotional pain and personal losses at your own pace. When you are more comfortable over time, they may add other solution-focused techniques to support you in creating short-term goals and resetting your daily routine. This eclectic counselling motivates your emotional healing and practical coping strategies.

Steps of Eclectic Counselling

1. First of all, the counsellor will ask some standardised questions to understand your mental health condition and gather data following the directive approach.
2. After completing a few sessions in a directive style, they will create a comfortable space for the patient to let them vent and share everything in their mind according to the non-directive approach.
3. When the patient opens up, they gradually introduce cognitive behavioural therapy (directive) to identify their negative thought patterns and restructure them.
4. Later, they focus on the deeper issues like early childhood experiences, traumas, and core beliefs to understand their  psychodynamic situations.
5. On  the final step, when the patient gets emotional clarity, the counsellor blend life-coaching based therapy to set goals and create an action plan for the implementation.

Difference Between Directive, Non-Directive, and Eclectic Counselling

Here are the differences between the three common and effective counselling styles.

How to Recognise What Type of Counselling You’re Receiving?

To make your counselling sessions effective, you should understand what type of counselling you are receiving. If you pay attention to your sessions with a counsellor, you can recognise the counselling style they are using. As we discussed the directive, non-directive, and eclectic counselling above, you have an idea of how these counselling methods work. Here are the quick tips to recognise different counselling methods:

• Observe who is leading the session.

Directive: Counsellor on the lead.

Non-directive: You are in the lead.

Eclectic: Both of you on lead as required.

• Assess the homework or task given by the counsellor.

Directive: Techniques, journaling, and tools.

Non-directive: Mostly emotional-release based.

Eclectic: Sometimes, tools are suggested.

• Understand how you feel after the session.

Directive: Clear goals and an action plan

Non-directive: Feels lighter emotionally and enhances self-awareness

Eclectic: Both the action plan and emotional release.

If you want to learn more, you can join the diploma in counselling. 

Conclusion

As of now, you have learned the difference between directive,non-directive, and eclectic counselling. The beauty of these counselling styles is that they are unique and effective in their ways. Recognising these approaches can help you to understand which kind of support you need to deal with your life challenges.

Before going to a counsellor, first ask yourself, “What do you need? a guide, a listener, or both?”

Once you know what you need, the healing will be more effective and powerful. Find the counselling method that works best.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Eclectic Counselling a Modern Trend or an Established Method?

Eclectic counselling is not an established method or modern trend. It’s a mixed approach of directive and non-directive techniques.  This counselling method has modified over the years from the 1970s to the 1980s. Not only directive or non-directive approaches, therapists blend other behavioural techniques in eclectic counselling.

What are The Limitations of Non-Directive Counselling?

The limitations of the non-directive counselling method are taking a long time to process, and depends on the patient’s initiative. Also, this method depends on the understanding level of the patient, assessing their situation in terms of the emotional release.

What are The Benefits of Directive Counselling?

The benefits of directive counselling are taking less time, concentrating on specific problems, encouraging problem-solving skills, and offering clear guidance. This method helps to set the short goals and take action method.

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