Person-centered therapy is a non-direct talk therapy that was created by Carl Rogers, a humanist psychologist during the 1940s and 1950s. Carl Rogers is one of the profound psychologists of the 20th century. Carl was a humanist thinker and believed that individuals are good. He believed that individuals have an actualizing desire to satisfy their potential to become the best individuals they can be. The method used by Carl Rogers is referred to as non-directive therapy because the goal of this therapy is to be non-directive as possible. He noticed that therapists direct clients in subtle ways and clients search therapists for some type of direction. The approach of Rogers to this therapy is currently referred to as Rogerian therapy. This paper, therefore, seeks to discuss person-centered therapy and further elaborate on the key concepts of the therapy. It will also examine the counseling session of Carl Rogers counseling an individual on anger.
Key concepts
Personal-centered counseling therapy
The relationship of this therapy can contribute to insights and lasting changes in clients. As much as Freud focused on providing interpretations of what he believed was an unconscious conflict that contributed to the troubles of the client, Carl Rogers believed that the therapist ought to remain non-directive. This meant that the therapist was not to direct the client, not pass judgments on the feelings of the client or not provide any solutions but allow the patient to be an equal partner in the therapeutic process. This approach develops a therapeutic environment that is non-judgmental, empathetic, and comfortable. In this type of therapy, therapists ought to allow their clients to lead the discussion and not attempt to steer a patient in a particular direction. Therefore, therapists have to show complete support and acceptance for their clients without judging them so that they can assess themselves and see who they want to become. By showing them acceptance and support, clients experience a safe space that permits them to examine themselves in various ways with a different approach.
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Achieving Unconditional Positive Regard
Achieving unconditional positive regard is a concept of Rogers that shows nonjudgmental warmth and acceptance towards clients that are undergoing the therapy. As opined by Rogers (1966), unconditional positive regard is one of the main components of successful therapy. In person-centered therapy, the role of the therapist is to establish a better understanding of the client by being genuine and authentic during their interactions with the clients and further accepting the client in a non-judgmental and compassionate way (Gladding, 2013). The view of the therapist of ‘unconditional positive regard’ is showing warm and positive feelings towards the client and accepting the client for he or she is. This further means being nonjudgmental in case a client reports behaviors that are socially undesirable. In this particular therapy, therapists should try to communicate unconditional positive regards at all times
Using Person-Centered Therapy
Numerous characteristics of person-centered therapy have been incorporated into other therapies. In this therapy, therapists concentrate on assisting individuals to free themselves from comprehending human experiences rather than the symptoms. Person-centered therapy notably known as Rogerian therapy is the work of Carl Rogers, an American psychologist that believed that every person is different and his or her view and the ability to manage it should be trusted (Ryan, W. S & Ryan, R. M., 2018). According to Rogers, every person has the power to find the best solutions for him or herself and make suitable changes in his or her life. A therapist that utilizes person-centered therapy permits clients to use the comprehension of their experience as a platform of healing.
Person-centered therapy success depends on unconditional positive regard, empathetic understanding, and congruence. Unconditional positive regard simply means that therapists should be empathetic and non-judgmental to deliver their feelings of trust, understanding, and confidence that encourage clients to make their own choices and decisions. On the other hand, empathetic understanding means therapists understanding and accepting the feelings and thoughts of the client. Finally, congruence is the ability of the therapists to carry no air of professional superiority or authority but rather presenting a true and accessible self that the client can see it as honest and transparent.
Counseling session analysis
In this ‘Carl Rogers Counsels an Individual on Anger’ video, Rogers is talking with a client about how to deal with anger that he has been feeling in recent weeks as a result of his battle with Leukemia. As much as this video is brief, I liked it for various reasons. The part that stuck out to me was that specific part towards the end where the client threw the curveball at Rogers. During this time, the client makes a statement that suddenly makes Rogers reply without prior knowledge. The client talks about the unfortunate situations in his life that have transformed his initial self to somebody he does not like being. The client further makes his comparison similar to being a citizen of the US indicating that “in this country, you are either a racist or anti-racist”.
With this statement, the client is making a comparison of every two sides of a situation, the good side, and the bad side. Concerning his anger, he means that he can choose to be angry about his situation or accept it and move with a positive mindset. In response to the client statement, Rogers takes an alternative route and wants to know what is going in the mind of the client, not with some label or the other. I liked the response of Rogers because he took a more realistic approach to paraphrase and reflect the feeling of the client. I also like the patience of Rogers. He does not push the guy but instead lets the guy set the pace of the interaction. Even though Rogers is consistent with Person-centered therapy, I think he misses an important opportunity when the young man says that he can tell him sometimes. In response to this, Rogers could just encourage him to blow his way and talk instead of closing the talk. From this session, the client has gained a great sense of independence that enables him to cope with any problem that he may face in the future. After this session, the client can become a fully functioning individual who does not create defense mechanisms in their lives.
The behaviors of the counselor were consistent with a Christian worldview because he listened and assisted the client without judgment. The counselor also gained a good working rapport with the client by creating a trusty relationship before bringing God into the picture. Using person-centered therapy is compatible with Christianity because it shows the love of the counselor to the client. In Roman 12:10, the Bible indicates that as Christians, we should show love to others.
Conclusion
A person-centered approach is an approach that requires the client to focus on the present and future which allows the patient to know him or herself more. The therapy also focuses on the self-healing and self-concept of the clients. For the above case, I expect that the client will have a greater sense of independence to cope with any issues that affect him in the future. However, the unwillingness of the patient to change may be the only challenge that may complicate the therapy session.
References
Gladding, S. (2013). Counseling. Harlow: Pearson Education UK
Rogers, C. R. (1966). Client-centered therapy. In S. Arieti (Ed.), American handbook of psychiatry (Vol. 3, pp. 183-200). New York: Basic Books
Ryan, W. S., & Ryan, R. M. (2018). Toward a social psychology of authenticity: Review of General Psychology. Retrieved from https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1037/gpr0000162 on August 2, 2020
