Person-Centered Therapy

Carl Rogers: Founder

• • Went through several interactions of his therapeutic approach before settling on person-centered

Key Concepts:

1. 1. People are good and have the natural tendency towards growth 

   2. Clients have capacity for self awareness 

   3. Phenomenological approach: each person reacts to life events in a way that is consistent with their own reality 

   4. Human Potential & Actualization

• Self actualization: innate need for personal growth and discovery

• The right conditions are required to grow in optimal ways

1. 5. Conditions of Worth

• Those who experience unconditional positive regard in childhood are more likely to become actualizing and fully functioning adults. They learn that their worth is not based in the ability to meet other expectations but they are worthy just for who they are

• Acceptance is free from conditions of worth 

1. 6. Organismic Valuing Process

• Intuitive ability to know what they need to feel fulfilled and self-actualized 

• Rogers believed that people have a built in mechanism for evaluating their situation and moving towards health 

• Those who are not true to themselves or act in a manner they think is expected to please others are considered to be incongruent 

1. 7. Fully Functioning Person

• One who is in touch with is or her deepest and innermost feelings and desires

• They meet their own need for positive regard rather than relying on others 

• Characteristics 

1. 7. 1. 1. 1. Openness to experience

            2. Living with a sense of meaning and purpose

            3. Trust and congruence in self

            4. Unconditional positive self regard and regard of others

            5. Internal locus of evaluation

            6. Being fully aware in the moment

            7. Living creatively 

The Therapeutic Process

1. Rogers identified 6 conditions to facilitate constructive change

• A relationship in which two people are in psychological contact

• Clients are in a state of incongruence which causes them to be anxious or vulnerable

• The therapist is congruent (genuine or authentic) in the relationship

• The therapist experiences unconditional positive regard for the client

• The therapist experiences and expresses an empathetic understanding of the clients internal frame of reference

• The therapists unconditional positive regard, empathetic understanding, and congruence must be perceived by the client, at least to some degree

1. Therapeutic Goals

• Facilitate people’s trust and their ability to be in the present moment

• Help clients develop congruence 

• Development of self awareness, empowerment, optimism, responsibility, and autonomy which contributes to building an internal locus of control

• Does NOT focus on resolution to presenting problems. But developing fully functional people 

• Positive and self directed 

3. Therapist’s Function & Role

• Attitude > Techniques

• When a therapist is warm, genuine, and empathetic, clients are more likely to feel safe opening up

• Therapist does not provide answer, but invites clients to provide their owns solutions 

4. Relationship between therapist and client

• Positive and real change occurs in a relationship

• Three core conditions: congruence, unconditional positive regard, empathy (more later)

Therapeutic Techniques & Procedures

1. Not many tools are used, because the therapist themself is the tool 

2. All interventions should promote the therapeutic relationship

3. Empathetic reflections, paraphrasing, and therapist self-disclosure

4. Facilitative Conditions

• Congruence: therapist ability to be genuine, authentic, well integrated, and self-aware

• Expressed in thoughts, mannerisms, and communication 

• Deliberate use of self-disclosure can enhance a therapeutic relationship

4. 2. 1. 1. 1. Discussing info related to personal identity

            2. Disclosing emotions responses of therapist to client 

            3. Disclosing professional experiences

• Self disclosure should be used to benefit the client 

• Unconditional positive regard: caring about, respecting, liking, acceptance people for who they are without placing expectations or requirements on them

1. Acknowledges that clients have a right to feel and think as they do

• Empathy: living in the others life 

1. Involves frequently checking in with the person to ensure accuracy 

2. Therapist acts ‘as if’ they are in the same condition the client is experiencing, but do not take the position that they know exactly how a clint feels

3. Transmitted through genuine reflection of feelings and validation 

5. Application

• Useful in addressing a broad range of issues including mood, anxiety, and personality disorders. 

• Extends to use in schools, hospitals, first responders, business management, and human resources

• Effective in individual, couple, and group settings 

• Ability to be integrated with other theories 

• Multicultural Groups

5. 2. 1. 1. The accepting nature and phenomenological approach makes it appropriate for those from all backgrounds

         2. Some culture might not respond as well to self disclosure 

         3. Reflects American ideals of independent and individuality which must be considered when working with clients from collectivist cultures