Person-Centred Therapy
Person- Centred Therapy
The Person-Centred Approach developed from the work of the psychologist Dr. Carl Rogers. In 1940s to 1960s, Carl Rogers approach to therapy was considered revolutionary. His specialist knowledge didn’t come from a theory but rather from his clinical therapy. Consequently, theory came out of practice.
Person-Centred Therapy was originally seen as non-directive. The reasoning for that was because Rogers didn’t believe that therapist was the expert. The crucial part of his theory was based on the natural tendency of human beings to find fulfillment. (Rogers 1961). Carl Rogers had the basic trust in human beings and believed that people are naturally moving toward constructive fulfillment. (Carl R. Rogers 1980, p.117). Rogers believed that 'Individuals have within themselves vast resources for self-understanding and for altering their self-concepts, basic attitudes, and self-directed behavior; these resources can be tapped if a definable climate of facilitative psychological attitudes can be provided. ' ( Carl R. Rogers 1980, p.115-117).
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The important part of person-centred approach was creating particular psychological environment in order for a client to be open to the experience. The key for Rogers was to be present with another. ‘Being was more important than doing .(Rogers 1961)
The importance of psychological environment explained by Rogers is because clients’ need to feel free from threat, both physically and psychologically, to move away from defensiveness and open to the experience of therapy. (Rogers 1961). This environment could be achieved when client is in a therapy with a person who was sincerely empathic, accepting and non-judgmental – offering unconditional positive regard, and genuine -congruent. Therefore, when these three core conditions are provided: congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathy, Rogers believed
The Person-Centred Approach developed from the work of the psychologist Dr. Carl Rogers. In 1940s to 1960s, Carl Rogers approach to therapy was considered revolutionary. His specialist knowledge didn’t come from a theory but rather from his clinical therapy. Consequently, theory came out of practice.
Person-Centred Therapy was originally seen as non-directive. The reasoning for that was because Rogers didn’t believe that therapist was the expert. The crucial part of his theory was based on the natural tendency of human beings to find fulfillment. (Rogers 1961). Carl Rogers had the basic trust in human beings and believed that people are naturally moving toward constructive fulfillment. (Carl R. Rogers 1980, p.117). Rogers believed that 'Individuals have within themselves vast resources for self-understanding and for altering their self-concepts, basic attitudes, and self-directed behavior; these resources can be tapped if a definable climate of facilitative psychological attitudes can be provided. ' ( Carl R. Rogers 1980, p.115-117).
5eb6e1acc73bed58ece8efa1c684609c
The important part of person-centred approach was creating particular psychological environment in order for a client to be open to the experience. The key for Rogers was to be present with another. ‘Being was more important than doing .(Rogers 1961)
The importance of psychological environment explained by Rogers is because clients’ need to feel free from threat, both physically and psychologically, to move away from defensiveness and open to the experience of therapy. (Rogers 1961). This environment could be achieved when client is in a therapy with a person who was sincerely empathic, accepting and non-judgmental – offering unconditional positive regard, and genuine -congruent. Therefore, when these three core conditions are provided: congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathy, Rogers believed
References: 1. Bozarth, J. (2007). Unconditional positive regard. In M. Cooper, M. O’Hara, P.F. Schmid, & G. Wyatt (Eds.), The handbook of person-centered psychotherapy and counselling. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. 2. Coulehan, J. (2002). Being a physician. In M.B. Mengel, W.L. Holleman & S.A. Fields (Eds.), Fundamentals of clinical practice 2nd éd. New York, NY: Kluwer Academic/ Plenum Publishers. 3. Lago. C, (2007). How to Manage a Counselling Service in S.Palmer & R. Bor (Eds.) The Practitioner Handbook. London, Sage. 4. Person-Centred Rehabilitation Counselling. Article in Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling 5. Rogers, Carl. (1951). Client-centered Therapy: Its Current Practice, Implications and Theory. London: Constable 6. Rogers, Carl. (1961). On Becoming a Person: A Therapist 's View of Psychotherapy. London: Constable 7. Rogers, Carl. (1980). Way of Being. Boston: Houghton Mifflin