Understanding The Person Centered Therapist, And Not A Cbt Or Psychoanalytic Therapy

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

As Corey (2013) discusses, the person-centered approach, may develop a therapist who’s role will be to direct the treatment process rather than challenging clients. Further, therapists could be found in a difficult position, in order to give permission to their clients to find their own way through therapy “ particularly when they are choices that the therapist hoped for p.202 as cited Corey (2013). Finally a primary issue will be a nondirective, passive therapist who will not be able to provide effective treatment as this approach is based on authenticity and congruence. However the argument put forward from Seligman (2006) states that there are a lot of reasons to consider Roger’s person centered approach as a simplistic and unrealistically optimistic approach in therapy. Accordingly to Seligman (2006) by providing empathic listening and genuine caring for the client, cannot be considered as factors for an adequate treatment with long-term results. Further, the approach cannot be useful for clients that have significant psychopathological problems; also by providing unconditional positive regard, therapists develop a utopian world for clients which is far from the real world, above all Seligman ( 2006) in his discussion claims that because of the lack of techniques this approach is not

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)

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.

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).

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).

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.

Person centered Therapy does emphasizes things like the therapy should be a journey shared by the client and the therapist (power point). The major assumption about person centered therapy are that everyone can self-fulling. Once a person can see this in them then they will try to make changes and move forward.

It is vital that the service user is in a state of incongruence in order to change. Being aware that things need to change is hugely important for the service user. With this knowledge person centred therapy can benefit the person helping themselves without much intervention. If the service user is oblivious to their difficulties, it makes it difficult for the service user to work through them using person centered therapy. Likely, the fact that the service user is getting help shows a consciousness of their problems. However , the individual may be there involuntarily, resulting in a negative process and not receive the benefits.

Within the humanistic school, the Person-centred therapy (PCT) exists as a key approach. Person-centred therapy was founded by Carl Rogers in 1942 when it was originally called ‘non-directive therapy’ (Rogers, 1942) and later became client-centred therapy. Rogers developed the theory after his experience of having been both a client and a counsellor at different points in his life. However, it was these experiences that led him to challenge the current theories at the time, which were Psychodynamic and Behaviourist (Casemore, 2010). Rogers disagreed with the deterministic nature of these theories, which suggested that individuals had no responsibility for their own behavior and that

and tried to cure or change a person but he decided to change this stance. “In my early professional years I was asking the question: how can I treat or cure or change a person? Now I would phrase the question on this way. How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth” Rogers 1961 p32. Through his personal experience he developed a very different view of what clients needed.

What do you consider to be the strengths and weaknesses of the person-centered approach? What

Person-Centered therapy applied in a therapeutic relationship by the therapist being empathetic and allowing the clients to move in their own time on finding their own self-actualization. This allows the client to gain and learn their own independence and integration in the world that they live in. The therapist not leading the client into any direction but being empathic to what they are going through to help the client’s growth process does this. It is not about the therapist having the client do anything or the therapists do anything but to be open and have a good attitude towards the client (Corey, 2013).

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.