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Writer's pictureJilly Edmundson

What is Embedded Counselling? | The Holistic Coach House Blog

What is embedded counselling and how can this approach benefit your clients? Find out more in this post.




Did you know that holistic therapists offer more than just a physical therapy? Embedded counselling, coined by Dr. Paul Komesaroff in 1998, is an integral part of the holistic therapist’s role. While vicars and social workers are also known to use this approach, holistic therapists have their own unique way of incorporating embedded counselling into their work. Let’s explore what embedded counselling is, how it can be used in a holistic therapy setting, and the guidelines for a successful therapeutic relationship between client and therapist.

What Is Embedded Counselling?

Embedded counselling is defined as “the provision of psychological guidance or support within routine health care settings” (Komesaroff & Maguire, 2013). This means that while providing physical treatments such as reflexology or Reiki healing, therapists will also take time to listen to their clients and provide verbal guidance on any issues they may be facing. It allows the client to express themselves in a safe space with someone who understands them and can provide appropriate advice.


For example, if a reflexologist notices tension in her client’s feet during a session, she may ask about it and guide the conversation accordingly. The reflexologist then has an opportunity to provide emotional support if needed or direct the client to additional resources that may help them better understand or cope with the situation at hand. This type of embedded counselling helps clients feel heard, seen, and understood which leads to greater long-term healing results overall.


Embedded Counselling Guidelines for Therapists

When it comes to providing embedded counselling services there are certain ethical guidelines that must be followed in order for all parties involved—the therapist and client—to benefit from the experience. These include maintaining confidentiality; avoiding dual relationships; referring out when necessary; not overstepping boundaries; being prepared for crises; and offering culturally sensitive care when needed (Komesaroff & Maguire, 2013). In general, these guidelines are intended to ensure both the safety of the therapist and client while allowing for meaningful conversations aimed at helping both parties achieve their desired outcomes.


The Person-Centred Approach and Embedded Counselling

The person-centred approach emphasizes empathy as its central tenet (Corey et al., 2019). When applied to embedded counselling it means that holistic therapists focus on encouraging clients to talk openly about their feelings without judgement and actively listening without offering advice unless requested by the client (Corey et al., 2019). This allows clients to gain insight into their own thoughts which can lead to long-term emotional growth once they have learned how best to cope with difficult situations or emotions on their own terms.

To conclude, embedded counselling is an important part of holistic therapy as it allows both practitioner and patient come together in a safe space where trust can be built through meaningful conversation about physical ailments as well as emotional wellbeing concerns. By following ethical guidelines designed specifically for this type of service like those outlined above—as well as employing person-centred techniques like active listening—holistic therapists can create successful therapeutic relationships with each one of their clients, ultimately leading them towards improved health outcomes overall.


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