Person-Centred Therapy: Developed by Carl Rogers in the middle of the last century. The man himself neatly encapsulates person-centred theory:
According to Carl Rogers’ person-centred approach:
‘For constructive personality change to occur, these conditions must exist and continue over a period of time:
- Two persons are in psychological contact.
- The first, whom we shall term the client, is in a state of incongruence, being vulnerable or anxious.
- The second person, whom we shall term the therapist, is congruent or integrated into the relationship.
- The therapist experiences unconditional positive regard for the client.
- The therapist experiences an empathic understanding of the client’s internal frame of reference and endeavours to communicate this experience to the client.
- The communication to the client of the therapist’s empathic understanding and unconditional positive regard is to a minimal degree achieved.’
(Rogers, Carl, 1957, Journal of
Consulting Psychology, Vol. 21, pp.)
How do I apply the principles of person-centred therapy?
- At the core of person-centred therapy (PCT) is the belief that people possess an innate need to be the best they can be.
- However, past relationships on a familial and societal level can feed into our sense of self which can become distorted by a need to ‘fit in’.That is to say, ‘conditions of worth’.
- I provide a therapeutic environment where the client feels safe emotionally and physically.
- Three core conditions help to develop and maintain the therapeutic relationship:
- First, empathy – I will endeavour to understand your point of view.
- Secondly, unconditional positive regard – I will be non – judgemental and value you as a person;
- Finally, congruence – I will be genuine with you.
- The therapeutic relationship will help you to be more like yourself – and to like yourself more.
- PCT considers you to be an expert on yourself.
Firstly, as a person-centred therapist, I will not tell you what to do. Secondly, I will help you to say to yourself what to do. The last point above is worth reiterating: You are the expert on yourself.
What about the person-centred approach and development?
To demonstrate, below is a video by Mick Cooper, Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton. He does a brilliant job of outlining the person-centred theory of development.
The above is a brief outline of person-centred therapy. If it sounds like a good fit for you and any challenges you are facing, please fill in the form on the Contact page.