Client Centered Therapy

Client Centered Therapy
  1.   Overview

Client centered therapy also known as person centered therapy is a non-directive form of talk therapy.   Client centered therapy is the approach developed by Carl Rogers. This technique relies on the therapist using three key characteristics: genuineness, unconditional positive regard and empathetic understanding. According to Rogers, by creating a safe environment using these three factors, clients feel free to express themselves without fear of judgment or rejection.
  a.   Basic Concepts
  * The Person: The foundation as grounded in active, self-regulating organisms.
1.   Actualizing tendency – An innate human predisposition toward growth and fulfilling one’s potential.  
2.   Formative tendency – An overall inclination toward greater order, complexity, and interrelatedness common to all nature, including human beings.
  * The Therapist- trusts the person’s inner resources for growth and self-realization regardless of client’s environment and or impairments. Provide a judgment free environment for the client with unconditional positive regard. Refrains from giving advice.( Non directive role)
  * The Relationship has a climate of acceptance and understanding which creates safety and freedom for the client and therapist. The therapy is controlled by the client meaning the client is the narrator of meanings, goals and intentions.
  * The Core Conditions
  a. Congruence- the therapist is open and honest, always stating exactly what he/she means. This is evident in a genuine regard for the client rather than a stiff professional manner.
  b. Unconditional positive regard – accept the client for who they are. Showing complete acceptance and support of the client no matter what the client says or does.
  c. Empathic understanding of the clients internal frame of reference – therapist shows a genuine understanding and concern for the clients thoughts and feelings and accepts them without judgement.

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