Counseling is a process that enables a person to sort out issues and reach decisions affecting their life. Often counseling is sought out at times of change or crisis, it need not be so, however, as counseling can also help us at any time of our life” (Woods, 2005). Counseling theories are used by counselors as part of their treatment plan for clients. There are many types of theories that counselors can choose from. These theories are usually hosen based on the client needs and what the counselor feel will be most effective. Counselors are not limited to just one theory when it comes to treating their clients. Theories can be used in conjunction with one another to effectively treat clients. Counseling does not just involve theories …show more content…
The final counseling theory that will be explored is person centered therapy. Person centered therapy (PCT) was developed by Carl Roger. It is a form of talk psychotherapy. PCT aims to offer clients a chance to become aware of self in efforts to afford them the chance to realize how their attitudes, feelings and behavior are being affected (Cepeda & Davenport, 2006). “This client awareness exposes the gap between the real and ideal self and serves to motivate the individual toward narrowing the gap. Clients then use this relationship to generalize to the outside world ( (De Haas, 1980; Swildens, 1977) and to become more open to experiences (Rogers C. R., 1961). The therapist and the client perceive this change as the client becomes able to see reality without distorting it to fit a preconceived, defensive structure” (Cepeda & Davenport, 2006). It is assumed that patients belief systems evolves from what it was to a belief system based on process and change and they gain an interest and comfort in exploring other options. Clients worry less with how they are viewed publicly and more interested in themselves and being true to self. Clients change through
To conceptualize, choose, and use effectively a distinct theoretical approach, a therapist really needs to conceptualize change, define his values, and articulate their core beliefs about other people. It's good to be exposed to a variety of theories in order to have a solid base when working with clients. After all, a theory provides the counselor with a framework that they can use to explore the counseling process, the client’s problems, and to measure progress. The various forms of counselling can sometimes be confusing. In this essay I will discuss three types of counselling approaches (The Psychodynamic Approach, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and The Person Centered Approach) by means of comparing and contrasting them with reference to
Unconditional Positive Regard is a theory by Carl Rogers applicable both for psychotherapy and in interpersonal relations. It recognizes a universal need for positive regard by others to all persons under various situations. It requires that all individuals as counselors should respect, accept and appreciate others without judgments. It is somehow different from unconditional love since it doesn’t require care for or liking. It only calls for acceptance of individuals whether you are fond of them or not. Unconditional positive regard shouldn’t be taken to mean being nice, friendly, or delightful with other people. Unconditional positive regard is more of a feeling towards others. As such, it ensures that a therapist has a genuinely deep caring for a client regardless as to whether He/ She approves or not, the actions of his clients. It is an attitude of accepting individuals as they are.
Before describing and evaluating the key elements of Person Centred Counselling (PCC) this essay will share a short description into the background of PCC in order to show its growth and how PCC is intertwined within other forms of counselling therapies. According to Sanders (2013) Dr. Carl Rogers, (1902-1987) was an American psychologist and the founder of what is now known as person-centred counselling or psychotherapy. Rogers was and still is held in high regard throughout many different fields of research, with numerous advantageous publications, such as ‘Client centred Therapy’ (1951) and ‘Freedom to learn’ (1969).
Counseling Theories is something that many people don’t necessarily think about in my opinion because most of the time because they don’t understand how counseling really works. Many people think they are just going in to have some stranger listing to them talk about their problems. When that is not the case at all that counselor is their to figure out which method is going to work best for this person and this scenario. The two theories, which we are talking about today, are Solution Focused Practice and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
The end of the semester has arrived and this research paper is designed to give insight into my own personal theoretical orientation in the counseling field. The problem is that I am still undecided in that respect. I thought that I had a clear and concise choice; however, there are bits and pieces of almost every theory that might provide a resolution to client’s situation. It was Carl Rogers’s person centered therapy which I found was the theoretical approach for me. When the midterm exam was administered there was a question which asked “Which of the theories covered so far is the one that you lean towards.” I was quick and did not even think twice when I answered Carl Rogers’ person centered therapy was my choice theoretical orientation.
Carl Rogers wrote, “it is only as I understand the feelings and thoughts which seem so horrible to you, or so week, or so sentimental, or so bizarre- it is only as I see them as you see them, and accept them and you, that you feel really free to explore all the hidden nooks and frightening crannies of your inner and often buried experience” (Rogers, 1961, p. 33). This quote is so profound; it illustrates so much authenticity and vulnerability. Person-centered therapy is a non-directive form of psychotherapy that was developed by humanist psychologist Carl Rogers during the 1950s. Rogers believed we lived in the here-and-now and our existing outlooks and opinions are more significant than the past. Rogers also believed a close personal relationship with a therapist that is full of warmth, genuineness, and understanding is essential for healing, in order for change to happen in the individual’s life. Today, Rogerian therapy is one of the most widely used approaches in psychotherapy.
These correct conditions which are required within person centred therapy in order that the client can achieve self actualisation and personality change were outlined by Carl Rogers and he believed that if this 6 conditions were met, it would facilitate change within the client: Two persons are in psychological contact- both client and counsellor are present physically and psychologically. The client is in a state of incongruence, (which will be discussed in more detail) the communication of the counsellor’s empathetic understanding and unconditional positive regard is met at a minimal level. The last condition mentioned involves 3 other conditions, which are essential attitudes and qualities necessary for the counsellor to posses for successful therapy; empathic understanding, unconditional positive regard and congruence. (Rogers C, 1957).
Theories play an important role in how a counselor serves their clients. Theories provide counselors with a foundation on which to build their counseling style. “Theories ground us as professional counselors. They provide a means to understand what we are doing, how we are serving clients, and how to explain counseling to clients” (Erford, 2010). Counselors are responsible for being aware of different theories in order to apply them appropriately within their practice. Established and new theories play an important and constant role in mental health counseling. Established theories in mental health counseling are based on “empirical or scientific foundations” (American Counseling Association, 2005). The best way to gain the most
The counseling profession has a broad spectrum of possibilities when it comes to choosing which psychological approach to take. The field of counseling takes many forms and offers many career options, from school counseling to marriage and family therapy. As there are numerous styles in existence, it is important to be aware of the many approaches available to take. For my research two psychological approaches, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Person-Centered Psychology, will be critically analyzed and discussed in depth in order to compare the techniques as well as effectiveness of each.
It is my understanding in client-centered therapy the client knows what they need best and can set their own goals while monitoring the progress of these goals. Rogers calls this basic optimism. It is a trust and understanding of the counselor for the individual or group that encourages this process. The client sets the tone in the therapy process, the clients can choose their own therapist, the amount of time they spend in counseling, what they chose to share or not share in the sessions, and the opportunity to come to their own conclusions and solutions (Corsini, 1989). During this time though Rogers believes the individual is trying to solve an issue regarding self-concept. The individual has a distorted view of self-image so the conflict resides between their ideal-self and their perception of themselves. In most situations, the conflict with self is brought on by a self-esteem issue and the idea that who they want to be is not in line with how the client sees themselves here in the present (Corsini, 1989). As the client grows in self-esteem and awareness they are continuing to enhance their self- concept through self-actualization. This shift in thoughts and feelings for self moves the initial external-locus of evaluation to the internal-locus. Now the client can base the value of self on the inside by what they believe and not what others believe to
The theoretical principles of Person-Centred theory and it’s application in practice. The work shall emphasise the significance of the six necessary and sufficient conditions for therapeutic change in particular, the three core conditions. A critical analysis of the efficacy of the approach will be carried out with some critical evaluation of the researched arguments for and against the effectiveness of Person Centred Counselling.
Person-centered counseling (PCC) is one of the key models of understanding for the dynamic force that lies behind the therapist/client relationship. This particular model focuses on the three core elements of unconditional positive regard, empathic understanding and congruence, all of which related to the establishment of a level of trust, understanding, respect and honesty between the two players. But what happens when the domain of "person-centered counseling" gets usurped by a "computer-centered reality"?
According to person-centered therapy, the view of humans is positive; we have an inclination toward becoming fully functioning. In the context of the therapeutic relationship, the client experiences feelings that were previously denied to awareness. The client moves toward increased awareness, spontaneity, trust in self, and inner-directedness.
Person-centered therapy provides a pathway to self-actualization through the creation of an empathetic, trusting relationship between client and counselor. In the case scenario described, a woman struggles with anger and depression, which negatively impacts her relationship with her husband. This case study presents an overview of person-centered therapy and an explanation of how it could be used in the therapeutic environment to help this client successfully cope with her issues.
During the therapeutic process the client would be able to discover an authentic lifestyle, and move away from the continual facades, and the up keeping of daily appearances. Hence, Rogers (cited in Corey, 2009) explained that when the major goal of person centered therapy, namely self-actualisation occurs in an individual they would value all experiences, an develop a sense of significance in openness, trust themselves and value honesty, experience an internal source of evaluation, and develop a profound demand to continue their process of growth.