Person-Centered Therapy, Schemes and Mind Maps of Psychotherapy

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Person-Centered

Therapy

a-s.clayton.edu/egannon/Notes/PSYC%203120/ Person - Centered %20Theory. ppt

The Life of Carl Rogers

 Born the fourth of six children  Mother was a devout Christian (Protestant) and was very strict on Carl and his siblings, although he has described his family relationships as “warm and close”  Carl was socially introverted as he was discouraged from playing  He developed an active imagination and focused on academics. Because his family lived on a farm, Carl had many chores, therefore becoming very independent and self-disciplined  As a college student, he was selected to go to Beijing for the “World Student Christian Federation Conference.” There, he was exposed to different religious philosophies and began to question his own religious beliefs. This experienced shaped his views on human behavior  Rogers joined the staff at the Western Behavioral Sc0iences Institute in La Jolla, California in 1964  His theory became widely known during the 60’s and 70’s as the progression of psychotherapy into the humanistic movement

Humanism vs. Existentialism…

 Humanism and Existentialism BOTH:

 Respect for client’s experience and trust in

clients ability to change

 Believe in freedom, choice, values, personal

responsibility, autonomy, meaning

Humanism vs. Existentialism… Existentialism  Clients come into counseling because they are facing anxiety in trying to construct an identity in a world without intrinsic meaning Humanism  Clients do not suffer from anxiety in creating an identity  Clients need to believe that they have the natural potential to actualize

The Role of the Therapist Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for Change  Congruence—genuineness, one’s behavior congruent with emotions  Empathy—accurate ability to view the world from client’s perspective  Unconditional Positive Regard—acceptance, caring Remember these if you remember nothing else from this lecture!!!

Growth Experiences

 Therapy is only one relationship that can

foster growth

 Growth occurs naturally when one is in a

situation with the proper conditions to

encourage that growth (i.e., metaphor of the

acorn)

 The therapist’s job is to set the stage, and

then the client is able to do what is necessary

for positive growth and change

It should be noted…

 A major aspect of person-centered therapy is

the belief that the therapist should not chose

the goals of the client, but instead help the

client define and clarify their own goals

 Goals should be expected to change as the

client progresses through counseling

Important Points

 The relationship between client and therapist

is everything in person-centered therapy

 The relationship is characterized by equality

 The therapist need not have any special skills

or knowledge

 Diagnosis and collecting background history

is not necessary

Rogers’ Contributions  Emphasized that the therapeutic relationship is the primary agent of growth  Created a style of therapy that can be used by various helping professionals

Limitations and Criticisms

 Most now feel these conditions are necessary

but not sufficient

 Can become supportive without challenging

the client, which makes change difficult

 Places limits on therapist’s behavior within

the session, such as limiting their teaching or

guiding role

Why do you think we started with this

theory?