PERSON-CENTERED THERAPY

FOUNDER:

Carl Rogers (1902-1987)

KEY CONCEPTS:

• The client has the potential to become aware of problems and the means to resolve them.
• Faith is placed in the client's capacity for self-direction.
• Mental health is a congruence of ideal self and real self.
• Maladjustment is the result of a discrepancy between what one wants to be and what one is.
• In therapy attention is given to the present moment and on experiencing and expressing feelings. (Corey, 2009)

GOALS OF THERAPY:

• To provide a safe climate conductive to clients' self-exploration, so that they can recognize blocks to growth and can experience aspects of self that were formerly denied or distorted.
• To enable them to move toward openness, greater trust in self, willingness to be a process, and increased spontaneity and aliveness.
• To find meaning in life and to experience life fully.
• To become more self-directed. (Corey, 2009)

TECHNIQUES:

• Few techniques, stresses the attitudes of the therapist and "a way of being".
• Therapist strive for active listening, reflection of feelings, clarification, "being there" for the client, and focusing on the moment-to-moment experiencing of the client.
• This model does not include diagnostic testing, interpretation, taking a case history, or probing for information. (Corey, 2009)

   

Corey, G. (2009). Theory and practice of counseling and psycotherapy. Fullerton: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.