Criticized psychoanalytic/psychodynamic approach for lack of scientific method and assumption that the counselor knows best
Empathy, congruence, and acceptance are the foundation of person-centered therapy
Theoretical Concepts
Humanism:
Rogers believed that people had the ability to handle their own issues and needed to realize their own potential
The goal of treatment was to empower clients so they felt confident enough to self-actualize
Human potential and actualization:
People naturally grow towards actualization
The right conditions are needed to help people evolve and counselors can help provide the conditions needed
Conditions of worth:
People develop their self-worth through interactions with others, especially important people in their lives
Growth may be impaired if negative and judgmental messages are being sent about self-worth, causing inner conflict and stunting growth (conditions of worth) (Barton, 1992; Dolliver, 1995)
Unconditional positive regard, or the message that someone is special just because of who they are, promotes actualization
(Rogers, 1961) Oraganismic valuing process:
The ability to know what we need to become self-actualize and feel fulfilled
Built in trustworthy system
Goes from being internal to external when one values the opinions of others over their own valuing system
The fully functioning person: Authenticity is the goal
Openness to the experience
Living with a sense of meaning and purpose
Trust and congruence in self
Unconditional positive regard and regard of others
Internal locus of evaluation
Being fully aware in the moment
Living creatively
(Rogers, 1959) Phenomenological perspective:
Each person exists at the center of their own world experience
Our perceptions determine direction in life that matches our reality
Counselors need to work on understanding the perception of the client
Treatment
Conditions of therapeutic process:
Change is possible when congruence, empathy, and unconditional positive regard are present
Necessary and sufficient conditions of the therapeutic process:
A relationship exists-two people are in psychological contact
Client is in a state of incongruence, causing vulnerability and anxiety
The therapist is genuine and authentic in the relationship
The therapist shows unconditional positive regard for the client
The therapist feels and shows empathy in understanding the client's internal frame of reference
The client must feel to some degree the therapist's unconditional positive regard, congruence, and empathy/ understanding
(Rogers, 1959) Goal: Person-centered approaches use the three core conditions, congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathetic understanding to facilitate change rather than using techniques or therapeutic tools (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014).
Therapeutic alliance: Clinicians rely on relationships built with the client that fosters trust, self-awareness, empowerment, optimism, and responsibility. Clinicians do so by using the three core elements, congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathy. These elements are thought to be responsible for facilitating change. The client becomes more self-aware, aware of external reality, and trusts their own feelings, which promotes self-directed change. The goal is not to solve present problems, but to assist the client in becoming a fully functioning person so they can self-advocate and be more resilient in handling difficult situations.
Counselors are nonjudgemental, accept the clients feelings, demonstrate empathy, and help the client feel his/her feelings fully to ignite an internal search for themselves
Counselors empower clients and promote self-awareness allowing the client to feel confident enough to tackle issues and concerns on their own
Rogers believed that positive personality change could not occur without a relationship
Facilitative conditions:
Congruence:
Ability to be genuine and authentic
Self-awareness and how others view you
Inner and outer states are consistent and communicated in a nonthreatening manner
Must be in the present moment and attuned to what feelings are present
Unconditional positive regard:
Accepting people for who they are without forcing them to act or think in ways that would please others
Clinicians believe that people are doing the best they can at the present moment
Focuses on the behavior and not the person
Creates a sense of worthiness for clients, ultimately changing negative behaviors, thoughts, and feelings
Empathy
Temporarily living through another person without making judgements in order to make sense to understand their world
Must remember that you can never know exactly what another person goes through or how they are feeling, therefore counselors must maintain a respectful distance through the use of the "as if" condition
Achieved through sensitive, accurate, and active listening
Empathy (brings people closer together) vs. sympathy (can make people feel pitiful and create a distant relationship)
Other strategies: Person-centered counseling only uses strategies that will enhance and deepen the therapeutic alliance, encourage empowerment, and create more awareness.