The Theoretical Principles of Person Centre Counselling

Carl Rogers (1902-87) was the founder of the client-centred or person-centred approach to counselling and therapy. (McLeod 2001)

The aim of this report is to examine key concepts of Person-Centred Counselling (PCC), as it's core theory, in understanding human behaviour. Focusing specifically in relation to Michael's issues from the case study (Appendix A) to critically assess it's appropriateness against other counselling theory. It will offer a brief historical overview of PCC and conclude with the writer's personal evaluation.

Locus of evaluation, the external locus of evaluation, is a reliance on externals for guidance and affirmation, characterised by ‘shoulds’ and ‘oughts’ and difficulty making decisions. The internal locus of evaluation, is the ability to trust our own self and own valuing system, less influenced by others opinions.

The NHS define self-esteem as being the opinion each individual has of themselves. NHS, (2015). It is the self-image and self –respect of an individual’s perception of themselves. Roshahl.c, (2008). This assignment is going to discuss the six factors that affect self-esteem. These factors are the growth promoting climate, the looking glass self, self-actualisation, ego identity, social identity and finally, the constructing of self-concept. Maslow stated that people are motivated to achieve certain needs. When one need is fulfilled a person seeks to fulfil the

This assignment is an attempt to discuss two different types of therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and person centered therapy and highlight some important similarities and differences between them.

4. Esteem – the need to feel good about themselves and the need to be recognised for achievements.

One of key concepts of person centred therapy is the belief that the client has the ability to become aware of their own problems and has the inherent means to resolve them. In this sense,

In the very early years of the person-centred approach, the direction and goals of the therapy were very much determined by the client, with the therapist’s role being to assist the client in clarifying their feelings. This approach of non-directive therapy was associated with a greater self-exploration, increased understanding, and improved self-concept. Further development of person centred therapy has seen a shift in concentration toward the core conditions assumed to be both necessary and sufficient for successful therapy (Cox, Bachkirova & Clutterbuck, 2010)

The Person-Centred Approach focuses on the clients own best authority as it is based on the client’s personal experience in his or her own life here and now. It shows the client as someone who has the ability of fulfilling his or her own potential for changes (Mearns & Thorne, 2007)

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).

“Compare and contrast the different ways the person-centred and cognitive- behavioural approaches to counselling understand and make use of the counselling relationship”

The idea of self is a significant part of every individual’s life. The way we visualise ourselves can be altered by feelings of self worth and self esteem and lead to a change or influence in the way we act. The evaluation of one’s attitude towards self can be seen to be improved by the individual believing they are worthy which could lead to a self fulfilling prophecy. The better-than-average effect can depict this theory by assessing individuals on their motivational bias and attributes (Brown, 2011). In this particular study, participants are given a questionnaire regarding ten traits, half of high importance and half of low importance. They were then told to rate these attributes on importance of possession. As predicted, the results show that the

This Critique of Person Centred Counselling offers an insight into The Person Centred Approach developed by Carl Rogers. I will firstly introduce Rogers and his influences. An exploration of Person Centred Counselling

conception of value and the way that value is perceived is an affective mode of

Several types of people arereading this book: firstly those with healthy self-worth, or those with low self-worth and thirdly those with inflated self-worth. Individuals with low and inflated self-worth are both narrow minded; they are just different sides of the same bad coin (unhappy and unfulfilled ). Low self-worth often exhibits as not manifesting what people desire. Conversely, inflated self-worth results in manifesting more easily but mostly with restrictions unlikely to keep or enjoy results (example: a mansion but not a home, or being married but without loveand respect, the dream job that comes about but turns out to be disappointing and doesn'tlast long).