Person-centred approach is a psychological trend which was invented by Carl Rogers (1902-1987). Carl Rogers was an American psychologist and psychotherapist. His hypothesis was that each person owns a reserved potential of self-understanding and the power to change themselves positively. The task of psychotherapy and helping relationship is to help to mobilize those reserved potentials. The person-centred relationship has three main features:
1. Empathic understanding is when the helper is trying to understand the client’s world and the way the client lives his/her life. During my work I keep my behaviour and emotional responses positive. I do not try to influence the client’s decisions and choices. I accept the client’s choices, if that does not cause harm or dangerous to the client, to me or others. For example follow the client’s bedtime routines.
2. Unconditional acceptance is when the helper does not try to lead the client towards some imagined ideal, but accepts the client just the way he/she is. The helper tries to identify the client’s feelings and gently give them back to the client. The effective communication is very important and the active listening as well. In my work place I am trying to ask questions from the client when I can see something disturb her. For example emotional distress about a broken relationship.
3. Congruence is when the helper does not play a role in the relationship, but participate in it whit his/her whole being. The helper has to be valid while he/she expresses his/her emotions. The helper’s thoughts, emotions and words are also important, not just the client’s.
Maslow Pyramid
Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) was an American psychologist who developed the Maslow-pyramid, the hierarchy of needs. His theory was that there is a hierarchy of needs from the basic biological needs to the complex psychological motivations. If the basic needs are being satisfied then the person can