Exploring Jealousy in person-centred therapy

Jealousy gets a lot of bad press. It can be seen and felt as something bad, nasty, shameful. It can lead to spiralling loss of control and increasing difficulties in relationships. A myriad of feelings can come to dominate and lead to behaviours which, far from bringing closer the connection and attachment the individual really needs, push away people. Jealousy can be at the root of suspicion, insecurity and mistrust. So, how might we, as person-centred therapists, welcome jealousy into the therapeutic space for exploration like any other feeling? What may lie beneath our own and our clients’ feelings of jealousy? This day will focus on exploring our own experiences of jealousy and how we may – as Rogers suggested – send a new telegram to our clients telling them it is safe to bring this issue to therapy now.