Person Centered Therapy Theory Summary

Person-centered Therapy: Theory Summary: Carol Rogers fostered the idea of person-centered therapy. Person-centered therapy holds the idea that in order for change to occur there must be three attributes of the therapist: congruence, unconditional positive regard, and an accurate empathetic understanding (Corey, 2013, p. 178). If these three attributes are present, the client has the best climate for growth. The client-therapist relationship must be healthy in order for a positive counseling outcome. This relationship is a focal point of the person-centered therapy approach. Corey (2013) states that the ability to establish a strong therapist-client connection is the critical factor in determining a counseling outcome (p. 185). Case Analysis:
Albert’s case from a person-centered therapy perspective doesn’t provide much explanation for the key points of the case. This approach is more about allowing the client to address their own issues in the comfort of a strong relationship with the therapist. The therapist’s attitude is more important than any technique they may use to get the client to do something or explanation they have for why the client does something. This approach gives the client credit for being able to identify what makes them unhappy and that they have the ability for self-direction. The given credit for identification of reason for unhappiness and ability for self-direction is the weakness of this approach. Mr. Albert does not have the ability to identify what is making him unhappy. He is experiencing a sense of hopelessness and sadness because he is unsure of where he is going in life. He needs structure and support in order to find his path and self confidence. He may be put off by a counselor who doesn’t provide sufficient structure (Corey, 2013, p.