Person-Centered (Humanistic)Therapy C6436 Individual Counseling Theory and Practice James J. Messina, Ph.D.

Carl Rogers Born Oak Park, Illinois Fourth of six children Fundamental religious practices, little social mixing, belief virtue Hard Work Solitary boy, outstanding student Studied in Seminary, became child psychologist influenced by Adler’s concepts of work with children and families Emphasized taking personal responsibility for one’s own life In his life: questioning stance, deep openness to change, courage to go into unknown places

Humanism Philosophical movement that emphasizes worth of the individual and the centrality of human values Attends to matters of ethics & personal worth Gives credit to the human spirit Emphasis on creative, spontaneous & active nature of humans-optimistic Human capacity to overcome hardship & despair

Nondeterministic Rogers like the Existentialists would argue that it is an oversimplification to view people as controlled by fixed physical laws People cannot be viewed simply as “cogs in a vast machine” Encouragement of therapy that considers individual initiative, creativity, & self-fulfillment Focus on active, positive aspects of human growth and achievement

Self-Actualization Innate process by which a person tends to grow spiritually and realize potential Through self-exploration person could live in harmony with nature and all of humanity by integrating various psychic forces to become “whole” person Selfish drives could be explored, understood & integrated with the spiritual aspects of human

The Experiencing Person Important issues must be defined by individual- special concern are discrepancies between what a person thinks of himself & total range of things he experiences People tend to develop in a positive direction, that unless thwarted, they achieve their potential Belief in natural goodness of people-Rousseau Inner self-control is better than forced, external control

Human Potential Movement Begun in 1960’s-Roger’s ended his life in this movement-His special focus Peace & Racial Harmony Use small group meetings, self-disclosure, & introspection People realize their inner potentials Encounter groups, massage, meditation, consciousness raising, communing with nature, organic food E.g.: Environmental concerns, Quality Circles, Team self-management

Person-Centered Therapy A reaction against the directive and psychoanalytic approaches A reaction against “Medical Model” called clients rather than patients People are essentially trustworthy, vast potential for understanding selves, & resolving their own problems without direct intervention by therapist & are capable of self-directed growth if involved in therapeutic relationship

Roger’s Challenged Traditional Models of Therapy He questioned assumption that “the counselor knows best” He questioned validity of advice, suggestion, persuasion, teaching, diagnosis & interpretation He challenged belief that clients cannot understand & resolve their own problems with direct help from experts He questioned focus on problems rather than on people in therapy

Person-Centered Therapy’s Emphasis Therapy as a journey shared by two fallible people The person’s innate striving for self- actualization The personal characteristics of the therapist and the quality of the therapeutic relationship The counselor’s creation of a permissive, “growth promoting” climate People are capable of self-directed growth if involved in a therapeutic relationship

Necessary Conditions from Therapist to Client Attitudes more important than knowledge Congruence - genuineness or realness, in relations between therapist & client -being oneself in the therapeutic relationship with client Unconditional positive regard- acceptance and caring, but not approval of all behavior Accurate empathic understanding – understanding of client’s frame of references, ability to deeply grasp the client’s subjective world & communicate this to the client

Six Conditions (necessary and sufficient for personality changes to occur) 1. Two persons are in psychological contact 2. The first, the client, is experiencing incongruency 3. The second person, the therapist, is congruent or integrated in the relationship 4. The therapist experiences unconditional positive regard or real caring for the client 5. The therapist experiences empathy for the client’s internal frame of reference and endeavors to communicate this to the client 6. The communication to the client is, to a minimal degree, achieved

Congruence & Genuineness Therapist is real, genuine, integrated & authentic during therapy-model human being struggling for realness Therapist has no false front, match of inner & outer expression of experience Therapist can openly express feelings, thoughts, reactions & attitudes present in relationships with client

Unconditional Positive Regard Therapist communicates deep & genuine caring for client as a person Caring is unconditional-no evaluation or judgment of client’s feelings, thoughts or behaviors Caring does not come from need of reciprocal caring of therapist by client Acceptance & recognition of client’s right to have own beliefs & feelings

Accurate Empathic Understanding Therapist understands client’s experience & feelings as revealed in interaction Therapist tries to sense client’s subjective experience in here and now Sense the other’s feelings as if my own Capable of reflecting the experience of client back to client-encourages client to be more reflective Encourages client’s own understanding & clarification of beliefs and worldviews

Process of Therapy 1. Client’s communications about externals & not self 2. Client describes feelings but not recognize or “own” them personally 3. Client talks about self as an object in terms of past experiences 4. Client experiences feelings in present-just describes them with distrust & fear 5. Client experiences & expresses feelings freely in present-feelings bubble up 6. Client accepts own feelings in immediacy & richness 7. Client trusts new experiences & relates to others openly & freely

The Therapist Focuses on the quality of the therapeutic relationship Serves as a model of a human being struggling toward greater realness Is genuine, integrated, and authentic, without a false front Can openly express feelings and attitudes that are present in the relationship with the client

Techniques used in Person Centered Therapy Listening Accepting Respecting Understanding Responding