Client-Centered Therapy: A Case Study

Client centered therapy is a non-directive form to talk therapy with a positive view of human. According to Lesson three "Person-centered therapists ultimately teach clients to trust in themselves and to use this trust to find direction in life. It is common for Rogerian therapists to overtly express confidence to the clients that they will be able to move toward self-discovery and self-actualization. It is likely that this communication of positive expectations in and of itself enhances clients'' self-confidence and therefore their ability and willingness to take risks as they strive to move toward a more integrated and congruent life. Rogers viewed the quality of the relationship between therapist and client as the core element in client-centered therapy." Therefore client-centered focuses on the client and not the problem the client is currently experiencing. Client centered therapy is based on the idea that a person will create their own personal growth. The counselor does not control the client behavior, the counselor is their to provide positive environment so the client can have their own personal growth. According to Murdock (2013) "Person-centers theorists believe that only motivation of human behavior is the tendency to grow to full potential in constructive positive ways." (pg.155) Therefore, client centered motivates the client to move forward with
personal-growth.

Existential approach therapy is a positive approach to people's condition.
According to Murdock (2013) Existential approaches to psychotherapy are more philosophy than pragmatic, more attitude than specific theoretical orientation. Existential approach roots are in existential philosophy, or the study being and phenomenology, which emphasizes that all we can really know is our own experience. (pg.179) With that said existential approach forces on redirecting the client to be responsible for their own actions. Existential therapy purpose is to help the client to reclaim and renown their
life.

I believe that client- centered and existential approach can be combined because both theories are focusing on the client not on the problem client centered therapy focuses on the well-being of the client and make them move forward with personal growth and thinking positive. Both theories are the similar in the way that they are both seeking for the best of the client. As for existential approach it redirects the client to take responsibility and accountability for their own actions. Both theories are the similar in the way that they are both seeking for the best of the client.

A combined approach may look like, if a client is anxious about what is going around in their life and they do not know what to do. The counselor can use client center centered therapy to first trust on themselves and then think positive so he/she can have their own personal growth. Once the client has master that the counselor can then introduce the existential therapy approach. Existential therapy can help the client with the anxiety based on the condition of their life. Existential therapy focuses own the present of the client and the chooses they are currently making.