Person-Centered Therapy Carl Rogers Chapter 4

The Case of Richard 48-year-old married Caucasian male Complains of symptoms of depression including a depressed mood that is interfering with his physical, social, and occupational functioning Came to therapy voluntarily and appears motivated to change

Basic Philosophy Human beings are inherently good Humanistic Phenomenological

Human Motivation Human behavior is the result of an innate need to grow Growth occurs in positive and constructive ways No inherent aggressive or destructive tendencies, unless as a means to grow

Central Constructs Experience Actualizing Tendency Organismic Valuing Process Self

Central Constructs Self-Actualizing Tendency Need for Positive Regard Need for Positive Self-Regard Conditions of Worth

Theory of the Person Process of Development Life is an active process: Infants use the organismic valuing process to evaluate experience Young children begin to use part of their experience to define who they are

Psychological Health Achieving health is a process, not a destination A healthy person is congruent

Psychological Dysfunction Incongruence between the self and the experience Process of Dysfunction Disorganization

Nature of Therapy Assessments Techniques Role of the counselor Role of the client Goals of Person Centered Therapy

Process of Therapy Congruence What it is What it is NOT Unconditional Positive Regard Empathy The fourth condition…

Process of Therapy Stage 1 Minimal self-awareness Not likely to voluntarily present for therapy Stage 2 Little sense of responsibility for difficulties Stage 3** Able to discuss self-experiences and feelings Stage 4 Begins to accept responsibility for difficulties

Process of Therapy Stage 5 Able to experience and express feelings in the present Stage 6 Realization of previously being stuck Stage 7 Conditions of worth are replaced by internally generated values

Evaluation Qualities Precise/Testable Empirically valid Stimulating Research Support Outcome research Theory-testing research

Issues of Individual and Cultural Diversity Pros Client determines the goals of counseling Emphasis on egalitarian relationship between the therapist and client Cons Emphasis on internal locus of evaluation Nondirective Required self- disclosure