Many people suffer from depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, oppression and other emotional and mental issues in the society today. For this reason, counseling techniques like Client-centered therapy are in high demand. There are various ways and tactics employed by Psychotherapists and counselors to assess and test clients including client-centered therapy. According to Rogers (2013), client-centered therapy also known as Rogerian or person-centered therapy involves a client taking a directive role while the therapist inciting the client’s self-understanding by giving clarity of questions. Counseling can be viewed in two angles including Christian perspective and secular perspective. There are various rationales to encourage client-centered therapy approach but the approach has limitations as well. This essay will describe CCT as an accepted secular technique, evidence that CCT applies biblical truth, and Limitations of CCT to resolve spiritual and relational health issues for clients.
Support for CCT
Christians have the obligation to represent Jesus Christ in all their undertakings. Counseling in Christian perspective involves choosing an approach that is in line with Biblical teachings. Christian counselors should read the bible to get direction from God. The Bible provides both support and limitations for CCT. Client-centered therapists utilize three interrelated attitudes: congruency, empathy and unconditional positive regard ( Rogers, 2013). The Bible covers all the three attitudes. The three attitudes contribute essentially to the success of CCT. CCT approach seeks to expand openness and increase self-esteem (Rogers, 2013). CCT can be regarded as a Christ-like way of counseling because it is based on attitudes that conform to the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Since Christian counselors should act as ambassadors of Christ, representing these attitudes provides a profound connection to the will of God.
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Congruence is demonstrated by Jesus all through his life. He used parables in most of his teachings to explain how God feels. For instance, in Luke 15:11-32 Jesus used the parable of the prodigal son to illustrate congruence. He demonstrated how gentle an open God the Father is in the parable. The prodigal son demanded his share of inheritance and he was given. He then traveled to a far land where he squandered his wealth. The same way, God has given humankind freedom and people use the freedom to sin. When the son came back and apologized to his father, his father forgave him without caring about what had happened. The same way when mankind repents, God forgives one without considering the sins one had committed. A congruent counselor is genuine and open to his/her clients. This builds clients trust and confidence. Moreover, when a therapist demonstrates openness to clients, he/she can easily know Christ.
Christians are graced with different gifts. Counseling is one of the gifts given to humanity and counselors should embrace it and bear fruits. Unconditional positive regard involves therapists accepting all their clients without judging them. This attitude is taught throughout the Bible as God loved his people unconditionally. Unconditional love to all people enables the counselors to help their clients without being judgmental. This attitude establishes a non-threatening environment for clients making it possible for them to pour out all their feelings without fear of being judged.
Client-centered therapy is based on empathy attitude. Empathy means being sensitive to the client's feelings and emotions ( Williams & Stickley, 2010). The scriptures teach about caring for others and being compassionate. Psalms 94:17-19 demonstrates Gods unconditional love and compassion that brings cheer and hope in times of trouble. Authenticity is also a major influence in CCT. The Bible in the book of Philippians 4:8 demonstrated this subject by stating that Christians should rejoice and think about everything that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable and praiseworthy.
Limitations of CCT
The Client-centered therapy focuses entirely on the client, helping them overcome their personal challenges and actualize themselves. This leads to clients neglecting others unknowingly. However, the Bible teaches about being selfless. Psalms 94;62 talks about Gods unconditional love which is selfless.
Again, some clients prefer presenting their troubles to God in prayers rather than being open to counselors. This makes it difficult for this counseling approach considering that it requires openness for one's feelings to be understood. In Psalms 62, David says that he waits upon the Lord for his victory comes from Him. In verse 7, he urges Christians to wait upon the Lord, the only solid rock. Mathew 11:28 advises Christians to take all their anxieties and heavy loads to Christ and they will get rest.
The client-centered therapy present human beings as creatures without an innate motivation for self-growth. The Bible, however, teaches that human beings were made in his Image. Sin was introduced to human by Adam and Eve. According to Jeremiah 17:9, people's hearts are deceitful without God. Biblically, growth is not based on personal efforts or connection with counselors but through the Holy Spirit. Sin can also be overcome through salvation.
Conclusion
Counseling can either be viewed in a secular perspective or Christian perspective. The Client-centered therapy involves using attitudes like empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence to influence client's life positively. This counseling approach is supported by the Bible through various scriptures but it also has limitations. The Bible encourages the client-centered therapy in many ways through the teachings of Jesus Christ, His compassion works, and other scriptures. Christians who want to use this counseling method in their profession should read the word of God for guidance.
References
Rogers, C. R. (2013). Client-centered therapy. Curr Psychother , 95-150.
Williams, J., & Stickley, T. (2010). Empathy and nurse education. Nurse education today , 30 (8), 752-755.
