Person-Centered Therapy

                                                               Carl Rogers 1902-1987

Person-Centered Therapy

• Founder- Carl Rogers (Corey, 2012).
• Key concepts- view of human nature (Corey, 2012).

1. View of human nature- according to Roger's, in all his works a basic sense in a client's ability to go forward in a constructive if conditions fostering growth are present (Corey, 2012). Getting to the core of a client is important especially to find a trust and positive center. Rogers believes that people are capable of being trusted, resourceful, have a good understanding and direction of themselves and able to change and live very productive lives (Corey, 2012). To have a realness and to show a client that you really care and that you do not have a judgmental attitude toward their beliefs attitudes or problems. 

• Therapeutic goals- in the person-centered approach it is important to help the client achieve a better independence and a integration (Corey, 2012). The question that often comes up in this type of therapy is how can I have a better understanding of myself. There are four goals that are often encouraged in person-centered therapy are openness to experience, trust in themselves, internal source of evaluation, and willingness to continue to grow (Corey, 2012).
• Techniques- early emphasis on reflection of feelings, evolution of person-centered methods, the role of assessment, application of the philosophy of the person-centered approach, application to crisis intervention, and application to group counseling (Corey, 2012).

1. Early emphasis on reflection of feelings- Roger's first emphasis was on understanding the world of a client and reflecting on this understanding (Corey, 2012).
2. Evolution of person-centered methods- the therapeutic relationship is thought to be more important than giving techniques in which is thought to be important in the growth of the client. It is not uncommon to suggest techniques but how the technique is suggested is very important. 
3. The role of Assessment- assessment is the first thing to do in a treatment process.
4. Application of the philosophy of the person-centered approach- this approach has been thought to help for individuals, groups, or families.
5. Application to crisis intervention-  this concept is very important when dealing with a client that has unwanted pregnancy, illness, critical event, or death of loved one (Corey, 2012).
6. Application to group counseling- in the person-centered approach it is very important that the counselor be more of facilitator than leader of the group, the client's need to lead and counselor needs to listen.

Reference

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition). Belmont, CA:

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