Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling

Year 1

Assignment Cover sheet

Student Name Aminah Jagne

Unit Two – Introduction to Existential and Person Centred Approaches

Title Explain the key similarities and differences between the Person-centred
and Existential approaches. Which three elements of these approaches
are most meaningful to you and how would you take account of them in
your future counselling practice?

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Submission Date 7 June 2018

Email ajagne90@gmail.com

Word count 1924 Words

Signature Aminah Jagne

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 TUTOR COMMENTS

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Signature:

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Date:

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Within this essay I will look to compare the Person-centred and Existential theoretical

approaches, highlighting key differences. I will then go on to explore the following aspects from

the approaches in detail: Actualising tendency, realms and empathy and continue to explore how

I intend to use them in my counselling practice in future.

One of the primary ideas within the Person-centred approach is that humans have the capacity

for choice, change and growth. Carl Rogers, widely regarded as the Father of Modern

Counselling, observes that individuals have “Within themselves vast resources for self-

understanding and for altering their self-concepts, basic attitudes, and self-directed behaviour”

(Rogers, 1980) And that in the right environment these resources can be accessed, allowing an

individual to develop as they wish.

Similarly, a core idea within the existential approach is that an individual is capable of making

positive choices within their own life and that “However much people are determined by

circumstances, they always retain a significant ability to determine how they will respond.” (Van

Deurzen, 2012). However, I feel that the Existential approach extends the idea of a person’s

ability for choice and growth compared to Person Centred by emphasising the responsibility that

they have for the course of their lives. According to Existential thinkers – whatever the ‘givens’

or set of circumstances a person faces, “It is still up to that person how to respond and create

something with these givens. It is up to the individual whether she is going to make or break

herself given her initial conditions.” (Van Deurzen, 2012)

A second similarity between the Person-centred and Existential approaches is that both are non-

directive. From a Person-centred perspective, the client is at the centre, a key idea in the theme

being that the client knows best, “It is the client who knows what hurts and where the pain lies

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and it is the clients who, in the final analysis, will discover the way forward.” (Mearns, Thorne

and Mcleod, 2013). Person-centred counselling is client-led, and it is ultimately up to the client

to dictate what to focus on or how to proceed.

In the Existential approach, the therapeutic focus is on attempting to clarify the lived, inner-

world of the client and re-examine and reconsider sedimented assumptions, values and beliefs

rather than impose a directive change (Spinelli, 2006). The client, their values and beliefs take

the lead, and the existential approach works according to them - “The Existential approach

centres on an exploration of someone’s particular way of seeing life, the world and herself.”

(Van Deurzen, 2012)

Though there are some similarities between the Person-Centred and Existential approaches, I feel

that there are more differences between the two. A key belief within the Person-centred approach

is that a person’s development may be blocked or distorted as a result of relationships that have

neglected their basic need for positive regard and created a self-concept and behaviour that is

detrimental to their growth (Mearns, Thorne and Mcleod, 2013). According to John Mcleod, by

being in a relationship in which they are fully accepted and valued, an individual can heal from the

damage caused by past relationships (Mcleod, 2003). It is up to a Person-centred practitioner to

create conditions of a relationship with a client in which “The growth process can be encouraged,

and the stunting or warping remedied.” (Mearns, Thorne and Mcleod, 2013) According to the

Person-centred approach, it is this relationship environment and how the counsellor creates it that

is central to the therapeutic enterprise. (Mearns, Thorne and Mcleod, 2013).

There is also a focus within the Existential Approach on creating a therapeutic relationship that

facilitates a “Good trusting atmosphere for a constructive dialogue, where the therapist

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participates empathically in the client’s understanding of the world” (Van Deurzen, 2012).

However, Van Deurzen highlights that merely focusing on positives and allowing people to

develop isn’t sufficient as growth may not always be positive. (Van Deurzen, 2012) She observes

that giving another human being total acceptance and unconditional positive regard, which make

up part of the core conditions of a therapeutic relationship within the Person-centred approach, is

not always a good idea or a wise move. Within an Existential approach “The therapeutic

encounter needs to have more sharp edges, and it has to allow for deeper probing” in order to

clarify a person’s views on life – as is a key goal of the approach. (Van Deurzen, 2012)

A second, notable difference between the two approaches is their overarching focuses. The

Existential approach focuses on the realities or ‘truth’ of existence. The aim is “To uncover the

basic dimensions of meaning or ‘being’ that underpin everyday life”, and by supporting clients to

do this, they are better able to live an authentic life. (Mcleod, 2003) Rather than trying to change

people, the Existential approach aims to assist clients in finding direction in their lives by gaining

a better understanding of how life works.

On the other hand, Person-centred approaches tend to focus on human potential. According to

Carl Rogers, by providing the three core conditions (Congruence, unconditional positive regard

and empathy), a ‘growth-promoting’ environment is created which releases “Constructive and

growthful changes in the personality and behaviour of individuals.” (Rogers, 1980)

There have been several aspects of the Person-centred and Existential approaches that have stood

out to me when learning and reading throughout this unit, but the three I wish to highlight are

‘actualising tendency’ and ‘empathy’ from Person-centred and the ‘realms’ or ‘dimensions’ that

feature in the existential approach.

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As discussed earlier on, the primary goal of the Person Centred approach is on personal growth

and fulfilment – “The person, in the Person-centred approach, is viewed as acting to fulfil two

primary needs. The first is the need for self-actualisation. The second is the need to be loved and

valued by others.” (Mcleod, 2003) Self-actualisation is defined as “A person's desire to use all

their abilities to achieve and be everything that they possibly can” (Cambridge Dictionary, 2018)

Carl Rogers noted that in every living organism, there is an “Underlying flow of movement

toward constructive fulfilment of its inherent possibilities” and that within human beings there is

also a natural tendency towards “More complex and complete development.” (Rogers, 1980)

This ‘actualising tendency’ is a fundamental element of Carl Rogers' theory of person-centred

therapy.

This aspect of the Person-centred approach stands out to me because it is something that I

recognise in myself. Making the best job of survival, development and enhancement in whatever

circumstances [I] find [myself] in” (Rogers, 1980) resonates with me as I feel it is a focus that has

impacted upon and directed my life. That impact has often been positive, driving me to learn and

gain promotion in work for example. However, it has also been negative, leaving me struggling

mentally and emotionally when I have felt stuck; unable to grow or develop and lacking in

direction.

The actualising tendency is something I wish to be constantly aware of in my counselling practice,

however, although I feel that more often than not it is present in individuals, I recognise that it may

not always manifest in a positive way. Carl Rogers notes that in dealing with people whose lives

have developed in unfavourable conditions, their ways may seem ‘abnormal’ and ‘twisted’, but the

“Directional tendency in them can be trusted”... “they are striving in the only ways that they

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perceive as available to them, to move toward growth, toward becoming.” (Rogers, 1980) Within

my practice I intend to use the theory to help me understand my client’s motivations but also to

help me remain aware of how their desires might change as they constantly move towards what

they consider, at that moment, to be growth.

I stand firmly with Rogers in the belief that “At the deepest level, it would seem, the yearning to

become more than we currently are, is never completely extinguished.” (Van Deurzen, 2012)

However, I feel that at times, within therapy, it may be an overly positive outlook and within my

practice would wish to be aware of life’s boundaries and the things which limit the growth of an

individual. This leads me to the next theoretical aspect I have chosen to highlight – The realms

within an Existential perspective.

According to Existential theory, there are four different realms or dimensions of existence with

which people from all cultures are confronted in various ways. (Van Deurzen and Adams, 2011)

These dimensions of human existence are physical, social, personal and spiritual and determine

“The way a person is in the world at any particular time of their life.” (Van Deurzen and Adams,

2011) Each dimension contains a challenge that we, as human beings engage with in different

ways throughout our lives.

Within my counselling practice I would hope that by working out an individual’s position on this

human map of existence, I would be able to help my client’s journey through life, remaining

aware not just of their potential for growth, but of the boundaries that present themselves in each

of the realms and “Encourage [them] to expand and travel into new territories rather than

restricting and limiting themselves.” (Van Deurzen, 2012)

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In reality, the realms of existence intertwine, and I feel that by keeping them in mind as a

counsellor, they will help me to ensure that aspects of a client’s life are not neglected. Although

a client may “Frequently emphasize their struggle in one particular dimension, it is essential to

ensure that difficulties in living are worked through on all four dimensions.” (Van Deurzen,

2012) The dimensions, I feel, will serve as a reminder to explore what parts of their existence a

client may not be discussing.

The final theoretical aspect that I wish to highlight is empathy. Rogers defines empathy as

“Perceiving the internal frame of reference of another with accuracy and with the emotional

components and meanings which pertain thereto as if one were the person, but without ever

losing the ‘as if’ condition.” (Rogers, 1980) That is, entering a client’s world, exploring it with

them without judgement while being sensitive to unspoken feelings or meanings, perhaps that

even the client is unaware of, but without ever becoming so lost in it that the therapist is unable

to return to their own. (Rogers, 1980).

Having sat in both the client and ‘counsellor’ (or helper) chair, I perceive empathy as invaluable.

In hindsight, I feel that empathy (along with other things) from my counsellor has indeed helped

me to “feel valued, cared for, accepted as the person that [I am]” (Rogers, 1980) in a way that is

rare to experience in everyday life even from those whom I am closest to. As a Samaritan,

empathic understanding makes up the bulk of the emotional support that I provide, and I often

sense that “Offer[ing] attention and [that] level of caring undeniably endows [callers] with value.”

(Mearns, Thorne and Mcleod, 2013) I wholeheartedly agree with its benefits and that it may

contribute to giving clients a sense of personhood, of identity and would look to use it within my

counselling practice.

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However, as mentioned earlier, I agree with van Deurzen that along with an empathic

understanding the “Therapeutic encounter needs to have more sharp edges, and it has to allow for

deeper probing.” (Van Deurzen, 2012) With that in mind, upon hearing and grasping what the

client may not yet be able to understand or even express clearly - and if I felt it appropriate both

for a client and myself, I would look to “Initiate the process of making the implicit, explicit.” (Van

Deurzen, 2012)

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Works Cited
Cambridge Dictionary | English. (2018). Self-actualization | Definition of “self-actualization” from
the Cambridge Business English Dictionary. [online] Available at:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/self-actualization [Accessed 4 Jun. 2018].

Mcleod, J. (2003) An Introduction to Counselling, 3rd edition, Berkshire: Open University Press.

Mearns, D., Thorne, B. and Mcleod, J. (2013) Person-Centred Counselling in Action, 4th edition, London:
SAGE Publishing Ltd.

Rogers, C.R. (1980) A Way of Being, New York: Houghton Mifflin.

Spinelli, E. (2006). Existential psychotherapy: An introductory overview. [online] Scielo. Available at:
http://www.scielo.mec.pt/pdf/aps/v24n3/v24n3a04.pdf [Accessed 2 Jun. 2018].

Van Deurzen, E. (2012) Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy in Practice, 3rd edition, London: SAGE
Publications Ltd.

Van Deurzen, E. and Adams, M. (2011). Skills in Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy. [ebook]
London: Sage Publishing Ltd, pp.8-26. Available at:
https://www.lifeforce-centre.co.uk/downloads/level4_yr2/session3/the_framework.pdf [Accessed 5
Jun. 2018].

Bibliography
Cambridge Dictionary | English. (2018). Self-actualization | Definition of “self-actualization” from
the Cambridge Business English Dictionary. [online] Available at:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/self-actualization [Accessed 4 Jun. 2018].

Mcleod, J. (2003) An Introduction to Counselling, 3rd edition, Berkshire: Open University Press.

McLeod, J. (2003) An Introduction to Counselling, 3rd edition, Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Mearns, D., Thorne, B. and Mcleod, J. (2013) Person-Centred Counselling in Action, 4th edition, London:
SAGE Publishing Ltd.

Nelson-Jones, R. (1999) Introduction to Counselling Skills: Text and Activities, London: Sage Publications

Rogers, C.R. (1980) A Way of Being, New York: Houghton Mifflin.

Spinelli, E. (2006). Existential psychotherapy: An introductory overview. [online] Scielo. Available at:
http://www.scielo.mec.pt/pdf/aps/v24n3/v24n3a04.pdf [Accessed 2 Jun. 2018].

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Van Deurzen, E. (2012) Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy in Practice, 3rd edition, London: SAGE
Publications Ltd.

Van Deurzen, E. and Adams, M. (2011). Skills in Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy. [ebook]
London: Sage Publishing Ltd, pp.8-26. Available at:
https://www.lifeforce-centre.co.uk/downloads/level4_yr2/session3/the_framework.pdf [Accessed 5 Jun.
2018].

Yalom, I.D. (2010) The Gift of Therapy, London: Piatkus Books Ltd.

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