Person-Centred Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide to Counselling

This report provides a comprehensive overview of person-centred therapy, a humanistic approach to counselling developed from the concepts of humanistic psychology, particularly influenced by Carl Rogers. It delves into the history of the therapy, tracing its evolution from client-centeredness to a focus on the client's self-understanding within a supportive environment. The report outlines key concepts such as actualization, conditions of worth, and the fully functioning person, emphasizing the phenomenological perspective. It explores the goals of therapy, which include facilitating trust, promoting self-awareness, empowering clients, encouraging congruence, and fostering self-actualization. Furthermore, the report details therapeutic techniques like congruence, unconditional positive regard, empathy, and non-directiveness, along with other methods such as reflection of feelings, open questions, paraphrasing, and encouragers. The report also discusses the applications of person-centred therapy across individuals, groups, and families, highlighting its effectiveness in treating various psychological problems. Finally, it provides a balanced view of the strengths and weaknesses of the approach, concluding with a summary of its core principles and contributions to the field of psychotherapy.

A GUIDE TO COUNSELLING THERAPIES (DVD)
Person-centred Therapy
Published by: J & S Garrett Pty Ltd
ACN 068 751 440
All Case Histories in this text are presented as examples only
and any comparison which might be made with persons either
living or dead is purely coincidental

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A GUIDE TO COUNSELLING THERAPIES (DVD)
Person-centred Therapy
CONTENTS
HISTORY ........................................................................................................... 3
KEY CONCEPTS................................................................................................. 3
GENERAL IDEAS ABOUT PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT................................ 4
THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES & METHODS OF WORKING............................. 5
APPLICATIONS.................................................................................................. 7
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES ...................................................................... 8
CONCLUSION .................................................................................................. 9
REFERENCES ...................................................................................................... 9

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HISTORY
The person-centred approach was developed from the concepts of humanistic psychology.
The humanistic approach “views people as capable and autonomous, with the ability to resolve
their difficulties, realize their potential, and change their lives in positive ways” (Seligman,
2006). Carl Rogers (a major contributor of the client-centred approach) emphasized the
humanistic perspective as well as ensuring therapeutic relationships with clients promote self-
esteem, authenticity and actualisation in their life, and help them to use their strengths
(Seligman, 2006).
The person-centred approach was originally focused on the client being in charge of the
therapy which led to the client developing a greater understanding of self, self-exploration,
and improved self-concepts. The focus then shifted to the client’s frame of reference and the
core conditions required for successful therapy such as ensuring the therapist demonstrates
empathic understanding in a non-judgemental way.
Currently, the person-centred approach focuses on the client being able to develop a greater
understanding of self in an environment which allows the client to resolve his or her own
problems without direct intervention by the therapist. The therapist should keep a questioning
stance which is open to change as well as demonstrating courage to face the unknown. Rogers
also emphasized the attitudes and personal characteristics of the therapist and the quality of
the client-therapist relationship as being the determinants for a successful therapeutic
process (Corey, 2005).
KEY CONCEPTS
The humanistic influence on person-centred therapy
As previously mentioned, the humanistic approach has been a major influence on person-
centred therapy. Person-centred therapists believe that clients are capable and trustworthy
and they focus on clients’ ability to make changes for themselves.
Actualisation
People have the tendency to work towards self-actualisation. Self-actualisation refers to
developing in a complete way. It occurs throughout the lifespan as the individual works

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towards “intrinsic goals, self-realization and fulfilment, involving autonomy and self-
regulation” (Seligman, 2006).
Conditions of worth
Conditions of worth influence the way in which a person’s self-concept is shaped from
important people in his or her life. Conditions of worth refer to judgemental and critical
messages from important people that influence the way the individual acts and reacts to
certain situations. When an individual has conditions of worth imposed on him or her, self-
image is often low. Also, if the individual is exposed to overprotective or dominating
environments, this can also have a negative impact on self-image (Seligman, 2006).
The fully functioning person
The fully functioning person is an individual who has “ideal emotional health” (Seligman,
2006). Generally, the fully functioning person will be open to experience, lives with a sense of
meaning and purpose, and trusts in self and others. One of the main goals of person-centred
therapy is to work towards becoming “fully functioning”.
Phenomenological perspective
The phenomenological approach refers to the unique perception by each individual of his or
her own world. The individual experiences and perceives own world and reacts in an individual
way. Person-centred therapy focuses on the individual’s own experience informing how
treatment will work.
GENERAL IDEAS ABOUT PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT
There are a number of general ideas about personality development with regard to person-
centred therapy. Basically, person-centred therapy states that personality can be fully
actualised when the individual is exposed to unconditional positive regard. An individual who
has been exposed to conditional positive regard can have low self-esteem and low feelings of
worth. An individual who is self-actualised will be more open to experience and less
defensive, will learn to live in the moment, will trust own decision-making skills, will have
more life choices and be more creative.

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THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES & METHODS OF WORKING
GOALS OF THERAPY
The goals of person-centred therapy are (Seligman, 2006):
1. To facilitate client’s trust and ability to be in the present moment. This allows the client to
be honest in the process without feeling judged by the therapist.
2. To promote client’s self-awareness and self-esteem.
3. To empower the client to change.
4. To encourage congruence in the client’s behaviour and feelings.
5. To help people to gain the ability to manage their lives and become self-actualised.
TECHNIQUES
The techniques employed in person-centred therapy are different from those employed in
other therapies. The difference is that other therapies are often focused on something the
client can do during the therapy session, whereas the techniques used in person-centred
therapy are employed by the therapist to create an environment that facilitates the process of
self-awareness. The following techniques will be discussed in relation to the person-centred
approach: congruence, unconditional positive regard and acceptance, empathy, and reflection
of feelings.
Congruence
Congruence is whether or not therapists are genuine and authentic in what they say and do.
Quite often, if the therapist is saying one thing but the body language is reflective of
something else, clients are aware of this and may impact on their trust and openness in the
therapeutic relationship (Seligman, 2006). For example, a therapist may say “I understand
where you are coming from” to a client but have a confused look on his or her face. The client
can see this confusion and feels uncomfortable with expressing feelings from this point
forward.
Therefore, a major role of therapists is to be aware of their body language and what they are
saying as well as being in the present moment. If confusion arises, the therapist needs to be
able to address this with the client. Going back to the previous example of the therapist

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stating understanding and having a confused look, the therapist notices the client looks
uneasy after the comment about understanding and goes on to explain to the client why and
how he or she understands the statement. This puts the client at ease and ensures the
continuation of trust.
Unconditional positive regard
Unconditional positive regard refers to the therapist accepting, respecting and caring about
clients (Seligman, 2006). It does not mean the therapist has to agree with everything the client
says or does, however, the therapist should see the client as doing the best he or she can and
demonstrate this by expressing concern rather than disagreeing with him or her.
Unconditional positive regard allows clients to express how they are thinking without feeling
judged, and help to facilitate the change process by showing they can be accepted.
Empathy
Empathy is a skill used by person-centred therapists to show understanding of the
clients emotions. Empathy is different to sympathy in that sympathy is often seen as
feeling sorry for the client whereas empathy shows understanding and allows the
client to further open up (Seligman, 2006). An example follows:
Client: I feel as though no one cares about me and that I am all alone.
Empathy response: So you are feeling alone at the moment and as if no one cares.
Sympathy response: I’m sorry that you feel that way.
Nondirectiveness
The person-centred approach utilises nondirectiveness as a technique by its therapists.
Nondirectiveness refers to allowing clients to be the focus of the therapy session without the
therapist giving advice or implementing strategies or activities.

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Other Techniques
Other techniques that person-centred therapists use in the therapeutic process include
reflection of feelings, open questions, paraphrasing and encouragers. Examples of each
follow:
Reflection of feelings
Client: I didn’t know what to do, I was so confused and angry.
Counsellor: So you are feeling confused and angry.
Open Questions
Client: I had a car accident the other day and the other person got out and started
abusing me.
Counsellor: And how did that make you feel?
Paraphrasing
Client: I have been feeling depressed for the past 2 months since I broke up with my
partner. I am having trouble sleeping and can’t concentrate at work.
Counsellor: So the feeling of depression is impacting on your everyday life.
Encouragers
Client: It makes me feel like crying, I don’t know what to do.
Counsellor: Uh-huh
APPLICATIONS
The person-centred approach can be applied to working with individuals, groups and families
(Corey, 2005). The person-centred approach has been successful in treating problems
including anxiety disorders, alcoholism, psychosomatic problems, agoraphobia, interpersonal
difficulties, depression, and personality disorders (Bozrath, Zimring & Tausch, as cited in
Corey, 2005). It could also be used in counselling people with unwanted pregnancy, illness or

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loss of a loved one. When compared with other therapies such as goal-focused therapies,
person-centred therapy has been shown to be as effective as them (Corey, 2005).
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
Table 1 – Strengths and Weaknesses
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
ƒ
Offers a perspective that is up-to-date
and optimistic (Seligman, 2006)
ƒ
The approach may lead therapists to just
be supportive of clients without
challenging them (Corey, 2005).
ƒ
Many aspects are relevant to a
multicultural perspective (Seligman,
2006).
ƒ
Difficulty in therapists allowing clients to
find their own way (Corey, 2005).
ƒ
Has provided a basis for many other
therapies such as the emphasis on the
client-therapist relationship (Seligman,
2006).
ƒ
Could be an ineffective way to facilitate
therapy if the therapist is non-directive
and passive (Corey, 2005).
ƒ
Research has substantiated the
importance of the client-therapist
relationship (Seligman, 2006).
ƒ
Simplistic and unrealistically optimistic
(Seligman, 2006).
ƒ
Clients have a positive experience in
therapy when the focus is on them and
their problems
ƒ
Person-centred therapy does not draw on
developmental, psychodynamic or
behavioural therapy thus limiting the
overall understanding of clients
(Seligman, 2006).
ƒ
Clients feel they can express themselves
more fully when they are being listened
to and not judged.
ƒ
Listening and caring may not be enough
(Seligman, 2006).
ƒ
Not appropriate for those who are not
motivated to change.
ƒ
May not be useful with significant
psychopathology (Seligman, 2006).
ƒ
Fails to prepare clients for the real world
due to the unconditional positive regard
of the therapist (Seligman, 2006).
ƒ
Clients feel empowered from person-
centred therapy as the responsibility is on
them to make decisions.
ƒ
Lacks techniques to help clients solve
problems (Seligman, 2006).

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CONCLUSION
The person-centred approach has been developed by Carl Rogers who took a humanistic
approach to therapy. Humanistic psychology “views people as capable and autonomous, with
the ability to resolve their difficulties, realize their potential, and change their lives in positive
ways” (Seligman, 2006). Overall, person-centred therapy is a non-directive, optimistic therapy
that focuses on the client’s ability to make changes in his or her life and that clients strive for
self-actualisation.
REFERENCES
Corey, C. (2005). Theory and practice of counseling & psychotherapy.(7th ed.). Belmont, CA:
Thomson Learning.
Corsini, R.J., & Wedding, D. (2000). Current Psychotherapies.(6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson
Learning, Inc.
George, R.L., & Cristiani, S. (1995).Counseling, theory and practice.Boston: Allyn and Bacon
Publishers.
Rogers, C. (1961). On becoming a person: A therapist's view of psychotherapy. London:
Constable.
Seligman, L. (2006). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: Systems, strategies, and skills.
(2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Ltd.