Person-centered Therapy
Carl Rogers
Goal
"Facilitate people's trust and their ability to be present in the moment...promoting self-awareness, empowerment, optimism, responsibility, congruence, and autonomy"
(Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 153)
"Facilitate people's trust and their ability to be present in the moment...promoting self-awareness, empowerment, optimism, responsibility, congruence, and autonomy"
(Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 153)
Theoretical Concepts
Humanism : People are strong and have the ability to handle their difficulties and to realize their potential. A main goal is empowerment
so that people can have confidence and trust in themselves.
Example : Instead of using scientific research, the therapist might choose to look at a person's diary, have interviews that are
lead by the client, or open-ended questionnaires.
Human potential and Actualization : Everyone has a natural inclination to expand and grow. In order to actualize, people continue to try
and master the challenges in their life.
Example : Like a flower can reach its full potential with the necessary conditions (water, sunlight,
etc) so can a person who has the necessary conditions. This is different for every unique
individual and can only happen when a person's ideal self matches his/her self image.
(Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014)
Conditions of Worth : The self-concept of children is built through interactions with the important people in their lives and what messages
those important people transmit. If those conditions of worth are judgmental and critical, self-image may be
harmed. Children in negative environments "internalize the criticisms they receive, perceiving aspects of them-
selves as worthy or unworthy" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 149). On the contrary, children in a positive
environment are more likely to actualize and be well functioning adults.
Examples :
- Negative - A child who plays baseball and is screamed at every time he strikes out or has an error on the field.
- Positive - Parents who tell their child how proud they are of how beautiful she is.
Organismic Valuing Process : "A person's intuitive ability to know what they need in order to feel fulfilled and self-actualized"
(Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 150). This process will go from internal to external and the need for
love and acceptance starts at a young age and continues throughout life.
Example : Autonomy - Making the decision to go to art school rather than take over the family business.
The Fully Functioning Person : A person who has good emotional health, is aware, can function, and can be honest.
Personality dimensions of fully functioning adults:
- Openness to experience
- Living with a sense of meaning and purpose
- Trust and congruence in self
- Unconditional positive self-regard and regard of others
- Internal locus of evaluation
- Being fully aware in the moment
- Living creatively
Roger's Theory of therapy, personality, and individual relationships as developed in the client-centered
framework (as cited in Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014)
Example : A person who is happy with himself/herself but understands that he/she is not perfect.
Phenomenological Perspective : Each person is at the center of his/her own universe and therefore reacts to events according to his/her
reality.
Example : "...A group of people in an office hear a loud noise. Timi, who likes social gatherings, thinks it's
a balloon bursting at a nearby party and wishes she were there. Kane attributes the noise to a
car backfiring and is reminded his own car needs repair. Tom, who experienced combat in the
military, thinks the noise might be gunfire and feels apprehensive, while Alice is so immersed
in her work that she doesn't even hear the noise" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 152).
Rogers believed that the client's experiences should guide treatment and that the counselor should not
take consider anything as important as hose experiences. In addition, the use of self-disclosure helps to
enhance counseling.
Treatment
The Necessary and Sufficient Conditions of the Therapeutic Process
Six conditions for constructive personality change:
1. A relationship exists - two people are in psychological contact
2. The client is in a state of incongruence, which causes him/her to be vulnerable or anxious
3. The therapist is congruent (genuine or authentic) in the relationship
4. The therapist experiences unconditional positive regard for the client
5. The therapist experiences and attempts to express an empathetic understanding of the client's internal frame of reference
6. The therapist's unconditional positive regard, empathetic understanding, and congruence must be perceived by the client, at least
to some degree
Roger's Theory of therapy, personality, and individual relationships as developed in the client-centered framework (as cited in Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014)
Therapeutic Alliance
The therapist needs to ensure that he/she "creates a nonjudgemental acceptance of client feelings, expressing a sensitive empathy, accompanying a client on the internal search for themselves, trusting in the wisdom of the organism, and helping the client to experience his or her feelings fully, the therapist sets in motion the conditions for change to occur" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 154).
Example : A therapist who listens to a client sharing information in which he doesn't agree and is disgusted by what he/she hears. Instead
of voicing those judgements, the therapist refrains and instead of showing sympathy, he/she uses empathy.
Client-clinician Relationship
Rogers acknowledged the fact that a relationship is essential for positive personality change. This close relationship make the client and counselors collaborators who both grow during the process.
Facilitative Conditions
The three core conditions (congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathy) create an atmosphere where the client can work.
Congruence :
Just as the client should be open and honest, so should the therapist. The therapist should not put on a facade and should be as authentic and genuine as possible. Self-disclosure helps to advance treatment as well as enhance the client-counselor relationship. Using congruence requires sensitivity and therapists need to be aware of misinterpretation.
Example : "The therapist uses present-moment awareness (what psychoanalysts refer to as countertransference) to illuminate therapy. If
therapy is not being productive, the therapist finds a way to express that to the client" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 155).
Unconditional Positive Regard
Rogers believed that clinicians needed to genuinely like and respect their clients without having any requirements of them. He also believed that people were worthy and that communication helped to emphasize positive impulses and emotions in order to successfully deal with issues. Therapists believe that people are doing the best they can at a given time and therapists help clients to build self-worth.
Example : A parent telling the child that he/she did a great job completing his/her homework rather than saying that he/she is a good boy/
girl for finishing the homework.
Empathy
Empathy requires the therapist to put himself/herself in the client's shoes to gather meaning, unconscious feelings, and comprehension. Rogers viewed "sensitive, accurate, and active listening...as the most powerful force to change" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 157). Empathy is not sympathy and the therapist should never say that he/she knows exactly how the client is feeling. Empathy encourages deeper discussion and empowers the client.
Example : Client : I can't believe that I snuck out of the house to go to that party.
Therapist : I can hear the sense of shame and guilt that you feel about sneaking out.
Nondirectiveness
Nondirectiveness is what Roger's theory was first called. Roger's believes that the client is the driving force of the sessions and that the therapist is there to provide the necessary conditions to help the client grow.
Example : Like the video we watched, a counselor having a child draw in order to provide comfort and to initiate conversation with the
client.
Humanism : People are strong and have the ability to handle their difficulties and to realize their potential. A main goal is empowerment
so that people can have confidence and trust in themselves.
Example : Instead of using scientific research, the therapist might choose to look at a person's diary, have interviews that are
lead by the client, or open-ended questionnaires.
Human potential and Actualization : Everyone has a natural inclination to expand and grow. In order to actualize, people continue to try
and master the challenges in their life.
Example : Like a flower can reach its full potential with the necessary conditions (water, sunlight,
etc) so can a person who has the necessary conditions. This is different for every unique
individual and can only happen when a person's ideal self matches his/her self image.
(Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014)
Conditions of Worth : The self-concept of children is built through interactions with the important people in their lives and what messages
those important people transmit. If those conditions of worth are judgmental and critical, self-image may be
harmed. Children in negative environments "internalize the criticisms they receive, perceiving aspects of them-
selves as worthy or unworthy" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 149). On the contrary, children in a positive
environment are more likely to actualize and be well functioning adults.
Examples :
- Negative - A child who plays baseball and is screamed at every time he strikes out or has an error on the field.
- Positive - Parents who tell their child how proud they are of how beautiful she is.
Organismic Valuing Process : "A person's intuitive ability to know what they need in order to feel fulfilled and self-actualized"
(Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 150). This process will go from internal to external and the need for
love and acceptance starts at a young age and continues throughout life.
Example : Autonomy - Making the decision to go to art school rather than take over the family business.
The Fully Functioning Person : A person who has good emotional health, is aware, can function, and can be honest.
Personality dimensions of fully functioning adults:
- Openness to experience
- Living with a sense of meaning and purpose
- Trust and congruence in self
- Unconditional positive self-regard and regard of others
- Internal locus of evaluation
- Being fully aware in the moment
- Living creatively
Roger's Theory of therapy, personality, and individual relationships as developed in the client-centered
framework (as cited in Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014)
Example : A person who is happy with himself/herself but understands that he/she is not perfect.
Phenomenological Perspective : Each person is at the center of his/her own universe and therefore reacts to events according to his/her
reality.
Example : "...A group of people in an office hear a loud noise. Timi, who likes social gatherings, thinks it's
a balloon bursting at a nearby party and wishes she were there. Kane attributes the noise to a
car backfiring and is reminded his own car needs repair. Tom, who experienced combat in the
military, thinks the noise might be gunfire and feels apprehensive, while Alice is so immersed
in her work that she doesn't even hear the noise" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 152).
Rogers believed that the client's experiences should guide treatment and that the counselor should not
take consider anything as important as hose experiences. In addition, the use of self-disclosure helps to
enhance counseling.
Treatment
The Necessary and Sufficient Conditions of the Therapeutic Process
Six conditions for constructive personality change:
1. A relationship exists - two people are in psychological contact
2. The client is in a state of incongruence, which causes him/her to be vulnerable or anxious
3. The therapist is congruent (genuine or authentic) in the relationship
4. The therapist experiences unconditional positive regard for the client
5. The therapist experiences and attempts to express an empathetic understanding of the client's internal frame of reference
6. The therapist's unconditional positive regard, empathetic understanding, and congruence must be perceived by the client, at least
to some degree
Roger's Theory of therapy, personality, and individual relationships as developed in the client-centered framework (as cited in Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014)
Therapeutic Alliance
The therapist needs to ensure that he/she "creates a nonjudgemental acceptance of client feelings, expressing a sensitive empathy, accompanying a client on the internal search for themselves, trusting in the wisdom of the organism, and helping the client to experience his or her feelings fully, the therapist sets in motion the conditions for change to occur" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 154).
Example : A therapist who listens to a client sharing information in which he doesn't agree and is disgusted by what he/she hears. Instead
of voicing those judgements, the therapist refrains and instead of showing sympathy, he/she uses empathy.
Client-clinician Relationship
Rogers acknowledged the fact that a relationship is essential for positive personality change. This close relationship make the client and counselors collaborators who both grow during the process.
Facilitative Conditions
The three core conditions (congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathy) create an atmosphere where the client can work.
Congruence :
Just as the client should be open and honest, so should the therapist. The therapist should not put on a facade and should be as authentic and genuine as possible. Self-disclosure helps to advance treatment as well as enhance the client-counselor relationship. Using congruence requires sensitivity and therapists need to be aware of misinterpretation.
Example : "The therapist uses present-moment awareness (what psychoanalysts refer to as countertransference) to illuminate therapy. If
therapy is not being productive, the therapist finds a way to express that to the client" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 155).
Unconditional Positive Regard
Rogers believed that clinicians needed to genuinely like and respect their clients without having any requirements of them. He also believed that people were worthy and that communication helped to emphasize positive impulses and emotions in order to successfully deal with issues. Therapists believe that people are doing the best they can at a given time and therapists help clients to build self-worth.
Example : A parent telling the child that he/she did a great job completing his/her homework rather than saying that he/she is a good boy/
girl for finishing the homework.
Empathy
Empathy requires the therapist to put himself/herself in the client's shoes to gather meaning, unconscious feelings, and comprehension. Rogers viewed "sensitive, accurate, and active listening...as the most powerful force to change" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 157). Empathy is not sympathy and the therapist should never say that he/she knows exactly how the client is feeling. Empathy encourages deeper discussion and empowers the client.
Example : Client : I can't believe that I snuck out of the house to go to that party.
Therapist : I can hear the sense of shame and guilt that you feel about sneaking out.
Nondirectiveness
Nondirectiveness is what Roger's theory was first called. Roger's believes that the client is the driving force of the sessions and that the therapist is there to provide the necessary conditions to help the client grow.
Example : Like the video we watched, a counselor having a child draw in order to provide comfort and to initiate conversation with the
client.