Person-Centered Therapy Concepts and Counselor Qualities
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Person-Centered Therapy: Concepts and Counselor Qualities
Kresten Herrera College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon University
CNL 500: Theories and Models of Counseling
Deirdre Jackson
January 10, 2024,
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Introduction
In the early 1940’s a psychologist by the name Carl Rogers developed a type of therapy called Person Centered Therapy or PCT. Person Centered Therapy puts an emphasis on an individual's ability to attain self-awareness. Carl Rogers states that all individuals are able to grow attain their full potential. By using the Person-Centered Therapy approach, a counselor is able to work with and help their client(s) develop their personal growth and relationship. This can be done by letting their clients have time to examine their strengths and understand their own
identity. The idea behind this paper is to discuss how effective person-centered therapy can be, how counselors and clients can maintain the quality of therapy even when they have a disagreement, this paper will cover the person-centered perspective, unconditional positive regards and what the role of person-centered therapy is in the ACA Code of Ethics. The Effectiveness of the Person-Centered Approach The person-centered therapy approach was developed to give the proper benefits for all
individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Many who go through person-centered therapy suffer
from grief, stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health problems. During this type of
therapy, individuals can reconnect with themselves and overcome any obstacles they may face in
their future (Lees, 2020). This therapy approach is effective in other ways as well, this therapy
approach works in a way that allows individuals to have a sense of control over their lives and
can be used as a conversation instead of feeling like an assessment during a therapy session.
With the person-centered therapy approach an individual may feel pressure, however as they
continue this approach the presssure they feel may be relieved. In certain scenarios during
therapy this type of approach may be beneficial for the individual. This therapy helps an
individual understand themselves and learn more about their feelings and the ability to address
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specific problems or habits. In order for person centered therapy to be effective for an individual
a counselor needs to have empathy, sincerity and be non-judgmental towards the individual
(Lees, 2020). When counselors keep to these three factors, they can better work with and assist
individuals so they can have a positive relationship. Importance of Counselor Genuineness Carl Rogers stated that counselors must have empathy, genuineness, and be non-
judgmental towards all clients. Part of the person-centered approach is that genuineness is considered the most important part of this approach, when a counselor displays genuineness, the client is more likely to open with the counselor. If a counselor is being themselves and not acting
as if they are in an official capacity, the client is more likely to be open and honest with them. A genuine individual is more willing to be who they truly want to be when they have a respectful and mutual relationship (Schnellbacher & Leijssen, 2009). Genuineness is considered open communication between the two parties. To make it easier for clients to understand the counselor, the counselor must have open and direct communication (Murdock, 2017). When a counselor disagrees with their client, it's important to uphold genuineness while still assisting. Rather than judging, their responsibility is to aid the client in finding solutions. It's important to note that there are multiple ways to prevent issues and just because the client doesn't choose the counselor's preferred solution, it doesn't necessarily mean that problems will arise. Person-Centered Perspective 3
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A counselor is someone who not just provides help for individuals, but they also empathize with their clients during successful therapy sessions. Carl Rogers stated that individuals still have a difficult time being able to comprehend how important unconditionally supporting each other without fear of judgement or prejudice is (White, 2016). As clients are going through these changes, a counselor can help them cope by showing them empathy (Noel, 2018). For example, an individual who suffers from anxiety could be learning positive coping skills after understanding that previous skills may not have been working for them. For a client to understand why these new skills can be difficult at the beginning, a counselor must tell them they can work and practice them together until the individual feels comfortable enough to do them on their own. It brings solace to individuals when they know that they are not alone when they feel stressed or worried. Counselors can achieve this by showing empathy to their clients so that their clients are able to have a more successful therapeutic end game. Counselors can balance the needs of their clients and hold them accountable for their issues while showing empathy during these interactions. Empathy is a factor that needs to be shown at all times. It's crucial to not only empathize with the client's emotions and thoughts but also to make them aware that the journey towards healing requires effort even during moments of discouragement. It's important to emphasize that they hold the responsibility for their actions on tough days. The counselor can hold the client accountable in a positive way, by focusing on the delivery of the message Unconditional Positive Regard
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According to McLeod (2014), offering unconditional positive regard can help clients feel safe and free from judgment. For instance, if a client confesses to self-harm or substance abuse, they should not be criticized or scolded. Instead, they should be comforted and advised that those
methods are not the most effective or healthy ways to manage their problems. With their determination and willingness to change, they can discover healthier coping mechanisms to address their issues. Therapy can be significantly impacted by whether or not a client feels comfortable enough to open up. Unconditional positive regard is a crucial aspect in this regard as
it is associated with healthy development and growth (Murphy and Joseph, 2018). The counselor needs to create an atmosphere where clients feel safe to share their thoughts without fear of judgment. If the counselor shares or conveys any judgment, it could hinder the progress that could have been made. Therefore, offering unconditional positive regard is vital to help clients feel safe and lead to their growth and development. At the start of the session, the counselor can convey to the client that perfection isn't attainable, even for themselves, and that committing mistakes doesn't define them or their progress. It can be reassuring for the client to know that the counselor is non-judgmental and willing to offer a listening ear and assistance. Instead of solely focusing on the consequences of a client's actions or the fact that it was inappropriate, it can be beneficial to understand why the client made that decision in the first place. The client is already aware that their actions were not the best, so emphasizing that fact will not facilitate any progress
but may instead discourage them. Counselors must be mindful of this as it can significantly impact their rapport with clients. The Role of Person-Centered Therapy in the ACA Code of Ethics
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The ACA Code of Ethics (2014) emphasizes the importance of treating every individual
with respect for their human dignity. Nonmaleficence, which involves displaying authenticity,
empathy, and non-judgment, is a crucial aspect in achieving this objective. It is essential to avoid
any actions that may harm the client. Being disingenuous with the client can have severe
consequences and make them feel unsupported in their journey toward recovery. Therefore, it is
vital to establish a connection with the client by letting them know that their voice is heard and
understood. This will help them feel less alone and create a safe and welcoming therapeutic
environment. When the counselor fails to exhibit genuineness, empathy, and non-judgment, the
client may continue to feel isolated and misunderstood. This can significantly impede the
therapeutic process and leave the client feeling emotionally vulnerable. Conversely, when the
counselor creates a non-judgmental space, the client feels empowered to speak openly and
honestly. This is crucial to their personal growth and development. Failing to address any of
these conditions can harm the client and impede their progress. By focusing on these critical
aspects, the person-centered approach has contributed to the ACA Code of Ethics in reducing the
risk of harm to clients.
Conclusion 6
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In conclusion, by being able to understand the various approaches to counseling is crucial
since they employ different techniques. Although there may be dissimilarities, certain similarities
are evident between them. These shared aspects can be significant across all approaches or may be found in one and should be implemented consistently by all counselors. Counselors must comprehend how these three factors can hold substantial responsibility while working with clients, mainly if it could cause harm to them. Moreover, they must assess their position as a counselor in person-centered therapy before delivering services. Clients rely on counselors to help them reach the end of their journey without any adverse consequences.
References
American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics. Alexandria, VA: American 7
Counseling Association. https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/ethics/2014-aca-
code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=fde89426_5 Lees, E. (2020, February). Person-centered therapy. Counselling Directory. https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/person-centred-therapy.html Mcleod, S. (2023, June 14). Carl Rogers’ humanistic theory and contribution to psychology. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/carl-rogers.html Murdock, N. L. (2017). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: A case approach (4th ed.). Pearson Education. Murphy, D., & Joseph, S. (2018). Contributions from the person-centered experiential approach to the field of social pedagogy. Cambridge Journal of Education, 49(2), 181–196. https://doi.org/10.1080/0305764x.2018.1488946. Noel, S. (2018, January). Person-centered therapy (Rogerian therapy). Good Therapy. https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/person-centered. Schnellbacher, J., & Leijssen, M. (2009). The Significance of Therapist Genuineness From the Client’s Perspective. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 49(2), 207–228. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167808323601. White, W. (2016, November). Empathy for counselors. American Counseling Association. https://www.counseling.org/news/aca-blogs/aca-counseling-corner/aca-member-blogs/
2016/11/03/empathy-for-counselors. 8