One of the key concepts in mental health is congruence, an idea at the heart of Dr. Carl Rogers’ person-centered therapy approach. Rogers described congruence as a continuum, with congruence and non-congruence at opposite ends. At one end, congruence happens when our thoughts, feelings, and actions align, resulting in a sense of peace and balance. At the other end, non-congruence occurs when there is a disconnect between our internal experience and outward behaviour, often leading to inner conflict, anxiety, or feeling stuck.

Congruence Through Emotional Awareness

Another way to understand congruence on Rogers’ continuum is through emotional awareness and clarity. Congruence involves recognizing what you’re truly feeling and understanding why those emotions are present. However, emotions can sometimes become blocked or buried, clouding emotional awareness and moving us toward non-congruence. This can happen when we push aside feelings, experience overwhelming stress, or struggle to understand what’s beneath the surface of our emotions.

When emotional awareness is unclear or blocked, we experience non-congruence—an internal disconnect that can show up as stress, anxiety, or the sensation of being stuck. This state is a signal that something within us needs attention and care.

How Therapy Helps Shift Toward Congruence

My therapy is designed to help you move toward the congruent end of Rogers’ continuum. By guiding you through identifying and understanding your emotions and the reasons behind them, I help you shift toward greater congruence. When you’re able to recognize and make sense of your feelings, you’re freed from inner conflict, and the sense of being “stuck” begins to ease.

Becoming congruent is about unblocking these emotions and restoring harmony within yourself. This shift on the continuum releases the struggles of non-congruence, allowing you to live more freely, with a clearer sense of direction. Once congruence is restored, you’re better equipped to move forward with clarity and purpose, feeling more empowered and whole.

Through this process, therapy offers more than relief from symptoms—it supports a movement toward a more grounded and connected way of living, embodying the principles of Rogers’ person-centered philosophy and encouraging personal growth on the congruence continuum.