Person Centered Therapy Essay

Over the time in this course I have been drawn to the Person – Centered Theory, I feel like that is what my personality is like, and I would love to continue to grow strong and practice theory that comes natural to me. This is the theory I scored highest on my Selective Theory Sorter- Revised Questionnaire. Person-Centered therapy will have great significance to my development as a professional counselor for the reason that I already think of myself as a very authentic, sympathetic and accepting person. I am an excellent listener, and I have learned to process my thoughts before I speak. I think that a consoling therapist/client relationship is indispensable to the counseling process. Another reason I like this psychotherapy/theory is because

My beliefs about human life are intricate. We are complex individuals that are shaped not only by our genes, but also by our environments, our experiences and interactions with others. Surely, the way that people behave can be due to psychological disorders that we are not at fault for, however, I also believe that issues involving anxiety, stress and depression are often perpetuated by our own thinking processes and how we feel about ourselves in comparison to the beliefs of others. Often times, I feel that having someone to listen, validate, empathize and care for us is what it takes for change to take place. As social beings, I believe that through interactions with a person who we care about and a person that cares about us, improvements can be made. In this paper, I will discuss how my philosophy of life relates to that of person-centered therapy, as described by Sharf (2016).

Carl Rogers the pioneer of the person centered therapy approach, viewed human nature with a positive stance. Rogers discussed in his papers that humans have the inclination of becoming fully functioning and the ability to move independently in an effective manner, on the condition that the environment would encourage this development Corey (2013). Further, Corey (2013) discusses that throughout his work, Rogers has always expressed an enthusiastic belief on human’s capability of living their own life effectively and productively, he praised their self-understanding and self –directedness.

Person Centred Counselling was developed by Carl R. Rogers (1902-1987), a leading American psychologist who was along with Abraham Maslow a major theorist of Humanistic Therapy which developed in the 1950. It is sometimes called the third force distinct from psychoanalyzes and behaviourism. It proposed that therapy could be simpler, warmer and more optimistic and that the client himself has the solution to his difficulties and can access this deeper

Ms. Belinda Coulter, Arlinda Blankumsee, and Georgia Green, The School of Professional Counseling, Lindsey Wilson College.Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Ms. Belinda Coulter, Arlinda Blankumsee, and Georgia Green, Email: belinda.coulter@lindsey.edy, arlinda.blankumsee@lindsey.edu, georgia.green@lindsey.edu.

Existential psychotherapy is a dynamic, philosophical approach to therapy that is based on the premise that an individual’s conflict within is due to their concerns with the givens of existence (Yalom, 1980). These givens, or ultimate concerns as noted by Yalom (1980), are inescapable properties that are part of the human existence in the world: meaninglessness, freedom (and its associated responsibility), isolation, and the inevitability of death. Confrontation with these givens can result in existential anxiety (Corey, 2009).

Person-Centered Therapy (PCT) embodies a humanistic approach, which is intended to increase a person’s feelings of self-worth, and reduce the level of incongruence between the ideal self and the actual self (Gelso, Cepeda & Davenport, 2006). This critical analysis is meant to examine various approaches and skills counselors/therapists would use when applying a ‘person-centered’ type of therapy. This analysis briefly outlines what PCT is, but focuses more heavily on the various approaches used by social workers throughout the therapeutic relationship. More specifically, PCT approaches such as, counselor/client congruence, empathic understanding, and unconditional positive regard are the main approaches highlighted in this analysis as they play an integral role in the counseling relationship.

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.

Person centred counselling originated and was evolved on the ideas of American psychologist Carl Rogers. The influences on Carl Rogers and he’s conceptualisation of Person centred counselling are numerous, from his early family life living on a farm, his interest and involvement in theology and his formative professional career.

In this essay I will look at the claim that Person-Centred Therapy offers the therapist all that he/she will need to treat clients. Firstly, I will outline what Person-Centred therapy is and look at what its originator, Carl Rogers’, theories behind this approach are. I will then discuss some of the criticisms that have been made about Person-Centred Therapy, and weigh them up to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of this therapeutic approach. In the conclusion I will reflect on my learning, and on my own experiences and opinions.

In the 1940s Carl Rogers was well on his way to revolutionizing the state of traditional, directive psychotherapy and pioneering what would soon become the person-centered approach. Although Rogers strayed from the psychological mainstream’s view that therapists drive their clients recovery through such mediums as advice, direction, teaching and interpretation he still believed that the therapist’s role was crucial, and it was their attributes that paved the way to increased awareness and self-directed change.

My foremost reason for deciding on the use of this type of therapy is because it has already partly been implemented (Nelson). Even in the initial assessment, the way the country has structured our electronic health records system, goal-setting is an essential part of the person-centered therapeutic process at my agency. Early on, the clinician identified the Jared’s desire to change, we identified that only small changes needed to take place that could eventually “snowball” in longer lasting positive results and the assessment also requests possible supports for the family and client throughout the process. Jared and his aunt Lila were excited to have concrete goals to look to when he questioned the point of having

A key concept of existential therapy is the relationship between freedom and responsibility. In contrast

During a lifetime, most individuals question the meaning of their existence at one point or another. Existential therapy aims to help individuals find purpose, have better defined goals, and live life to the fullest. Existential therapy takes into account cultural, social and political values of the client. It attempts to help the client live more deliberately, while accepting life’s unpredictable challenges and contradictions. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is complementary to existential therapy by providing techniques to help clients make changes once their awareness is increased through existential discovery. Existential therapy

Person-centered therapy originated in the mid-1900s with Carl Rogers, who developed an alternative to Freudian psychoanalysis that adopted a more supportive approach. Rogers perceived the role of the therapist to be supportive and encouraging,