What Is Client Centered Theory?

In fact Roger held the belief that the most important process during the collaborative relationship is the therapists constant check with their clients, whether their understandings are consistent with their clients words and providing their clients with unconditional positive regard. Further, Wedding and Corsini (2014).discusses that Rogers approach differentiate from the other therapeutic approaches, due to the absence of therapeutic techniques, hence, the quality of the relationship that develops between the client and the therapist are considered as the more important process Additionally Corey (2013) indicates that the person-centered approach allows therapists to include techniques throughout their treatment. However, in comparison with other therapeutic approaches, person centered approach clarifies that their techniques are not utilized to fix clients, in addition to improve the empathic relationship between the client and the therapist and further, develop an environment were self awareness for the client can be

Person-centred therapy came about through Roger’s theory on human personality. He argued that human experiences were valuable whether they were positive or negative so long as they maintained their self actualising tendency. Through one’s experiences and interactions with others Roger believed that a self-concept/regard was developed. Carl Rogers believed that a truly therapeutic relationship between client and counsellor depends on the existence, of three core conditions. The core conditions are important because they represent the key concepts and principles of person-centred therapy. These core conditions are referred to as congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathy. Congruence is when the therapist has the ability to be real and honest with the client. This also means that the therapist has to be aware of their own feelings by owning up to them and not hiding behind a professional role. For example, a therapist may say ‘I understand where you are coming from’’ to the client. However the therapist has expressed a confused facial expression while saying this. The clients can be become aware of this and may feel uncomfortable in expressing their feelings, which might impact their trust and openness towards the therapist. Therefore the major role of the therapist is to acknowledge their body language and what they say and if confusion happens the therapist needs to be able to

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,

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

The nature of the client centred approach is based on the idea that the client is the expert on their life, and have a natural ability to find solutions to their problems. The relationship between the counsellor and client is on a person to person level. By building a good rapport with the client and providing the core conditions of congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathy, the client is able to work through their issues. The counsellor does not solve problems, or give direct advice. The client is encouraged to be confident in their own ability, and not be dependent on others to solve their problems.

When looking at the Person-Centred Approach to counselling, this cannot be done without exploring the important figures that paved the way for this approach, discussing its origins and evaluating how it helps to shape society in present times.

Person-centred approaches have special approach to understanding human relationships, personality, living each moment fully, freedom of choices, creativity. Understand that every person is different and treating client individually. Involve individual to every aspect of they life. Using strength and experience to develop the best interest for a client. Encouraging well-being, using; Independence- self-worth, self-control, (give chance to do as much as possible).

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).

Carl R. Rogers is known as the founding father of person-centered therapy. He was born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1902 to a devoted Christian and a civil engineer (Rogers, Kirschenbaum, & Land, 2001). In 1922 Rogers began to doubt his religious teaching from early on in life, he sought a more liberal education at the Union Theological Seminary (Rogers, Kirschenbaum, & Land, 2001). After two years he left to attend Columbia University to study clinical and education psychology. Rogers went on to write four major books: The Clinical Treatment of the Problem Child (1939), Counseling and Psychotherapy: New Concepts in Practice (1942), Client-Centered Therapy (1951), and Psychotherapy and Personality (Rogers & Dymond, 1954) (Walsh, 2010; Patterson, 2007).

Person-centred counselling deals therapy in which client is the ultimate focus of attention of his or her own therapy. Person-centred therapy aims at creating a relationship with their clients through which the clients are able develop their self-awareness. Person- Centred counsellors deal with the present, i.e. the here and now. In person centred approach, the therapeutic relationship is of immense importance and is based on mutuality and equality.

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).

The person-centered theory is also referred to as the client-centered theory. It is presently a popular theory for therapy and counseling. Rogers believed in clients helping themselves so that they could empower themselves with a self-actualizing motive to improve their lives. He did not believe in the concept of treating people as patients that had mental issues and needed to be diagnosed. His ideas continue to be relevant in modern psychology (Cervone & Pervin, 2010).

Carl Rogers was the leader of the school, he started to structure a treatment of emotional disturbances known as –client centred therapy and Abraham Maslow introduced theory so that human beings possesses a motive called self- actualization, the Hierarchy of needs. This allowed Individual to have choices, as our thoughts are too complicated, such as feelings and attitudes Cardwell, M., Clark, L. and

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,

The father and founder of “Client” centered therapy, Rogers wrote books on the subject of listening to his patients, and allowing them to determine the rate of treatment on their own time line. Rogers was the first to use the terms client, instead of patient, and his “people centered theories” were ground breaking at the time they were introduced.