Person centered counseling

The humanistic approach

The humanistic approach in psychology looks at people in a special way. It says each person is
important and unique. There are some main ideas in this approach.

First is "self-actualization." This means becoming the best version of yourself and enjoying life.
Second is "free will." It means you have the power to make choices and control your life. Third
is seeing people as a whole. This means looking at all parts of a person, not just one thing. Fourth
is believing that people are naturally good and can grow. And lastly, it's about valuing personal
stories and feelings more than facts and numbers.

Together, these ideas help us understand people better and appreciate the wonderful and complex
nature of each person

Person-Centered Counseling

FOUNDERS/DEVELOPERS

Carl Rogers (1902-1987) is the person most linked with person-centered counseling. He first
wrote about this idea in his book "Counseling and Psychotherapy" in 1942. At first, he called it
nondirective psychotherapy. Later, it became known as client-centered and person-centered
counseling. This way of counseling focuses on the individual and their experiences. It's about
putting them at the center of the therapy process. People have used this approach not only for
individuals but also for groups, families, and communities. It's a flexible method that helps
people grow and heal in different situations.

View of Human nature

According to Rogers (1957), people are generally positive, forward-thinking, and trustworthy.
He believed that from a very young age, everyone is aware and moving towards reaching their
full potential, known as self-actualization.

Rogers (1951) saw self-actualization as the most important drive in life, pushing individuals to
develop and grow in every aspect. Person-centered theorists think each person can discover their
own meaning and purpose in life. Rogers focused so much on this idea that his theories are often
called self-theory. He believed that our sense of self comes from our experiences and
understanding of ourselves, helping us to see ourselves differently from others (Nye, 2000). For
a healthy sense of self to develop, a person needs positive feelings from others, like love,
warmth, care, respect, and acceptance. However, as people grow up, they often receive approval
only when they behave in certain ways. This can make them feel worthy only when they follow
others' expectations.

Sometimes, a person might feel like they have to hide or change what they really think or feel if
someone they care about sees things differently. When this happens, it can make them feel like
there's a conflict between how they see themselves and what others want from them. This
conflict can make them feel like there's a gap between who they want to be and who they really
are. If they don't do what others want, they worry they won't be accepted. But if they do what
others want, they feel like they're not being true to themselves. The bigger this gap gets, the more
unhappy and disconnected they might feel.

Goals of Person-Centered Counseling

1. Understanding Yourself: Helping clients understand their thoughts, feelings, and

actions better.
2. Accepting Yourself: Supporting clients to accept themselves just as they are, without
feeling judged.
3. Growing Personally: Assisting clients in making positive changes and growing as
individuals.
4. Being in Charge: Empowering clients to make their own decisions and solve their own
problems.
5. Being Real: Encouraging clients to be true to themselves and express their genuine
6.

Roles in Person-Centered Counseling

1. Listener:

 The counselor listens carefully without interrupting, understanding the client's feelings
and thoughts.

2. Empathizer:

 The counselor tries to see things from the client's point of view, showing empathy
towards their experiences.

3. Supporter:

 The counselor accepts the client without judgment, offering unconditional positive
regard.

4. Facilitator:

 Instead of telling the client what to do, the counselor guides them in exploring themselves
and finding their own answers.

5. Encourager:

 The counselor motivates the client to express themselves honestly, promoting

authenticity and openness
 TECHNIQUES

Empathy

Empathy means the therapist understands and shares the client's feelings deeply. They listen
carefully and reflect the client’s emotions and thoughts without judging. Example: If a client
says they feel overwhelmed at work, the therapist might say, “It sounds like you’re feeling really
stressed and burdened by the demands of your job. That must be really tough to manage every
day.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Unconditional positive regard means accepting and valuing the client without any conditions or
judgments. The therapist creates a supportive environment where the client feels safe to express
themselves. Example: If a client admits to feeling ashamed about a mistake they made, the
therapist might say, “I appreciate your honesty and courage in sharing that with me. Remember,
everyone makes mistakes, and it doesn’t change your worth as a person.

Congruence

Congruence means the therapist is genuine and authentic in the therapeutic relationship. They are
transparent and honest, which helps build trust and openness with the client. Example: If a
therapist notices they are worried about a client’s risky behavior, instead of hiding this feeling,
they might say, “I want to be honest with you. When you mentioned engaging in that behavior, I
felt concerned for your safety. Let’s talk about what led to that decision and how we can find
safer alternatives.”

Strengths of Person-Centered Counseling

Client Empowerment: This type of counseling makes clients feel powerful because it focuses
on their ability to make decisions for themselves. It encourages them to take control of their own
healing and growth.

Non-Judgmental Environment: In this counseling, therapists don't judge clients. They create a
safe space where clients can freely express themselves without fear of being criticized or
rejected.

Focus on Self-Actualization: The main goal here is to help clients become the best version of
themselves. It's not just about fixing problems; it's about helping people reach their full potential
and be happy.

Flexibility and Adaptability: This type of therapy can work for all kinds of people and
problems. Therapists can adjust it to fit the needs of each client, making it useful in many
different situations.

Limitations of Person-Centered Therapy

Not Suitable for Everyone: Some people might not find person-centered therapy helpful if they
prefer more structured or directive approaches.

Time-Consuming: Progress in this therapy can take longer than in other types because it
depends on how fast the client explores and grows.

Not Ideal for Severe Mental Illness: This therapy might not be the best choice for people with
severe mental illness or during a crisis when they need immediate help.

Dependence on Therapist Skill: This therapy's success depends a lot on how good the therapist
is at creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment. But not all therapists are equally
good at this.

Limited Focus on Behavior Change: While this therapy helps with self-exploration and
personal growth, it might not directly help change behaviors or manage symptoms as well as
other therapies.