Article summary
Person- Centered Approach was formally introduced by Carl Rogers in the year 1902-1987. It focuses on a belief that individuals are all born with an inherent ability mainly directed towards their psychological growth as well as development if the external surroundings allow them participate. This type of counseling commonly known as client-centered counseling or person-centered counseling is an approach that sees people in a multicultural population as portraying an innate ability to develop them towards their full potential. However, the theory is inevitably distorted by the multicultural population experiences especially by those people, who tell others that they are valued or loved if only they behave in a particular manner or feelings while discarding others. As a result, since these people have a very deep and substantial need to be loved as well as valued, they must distort their actual behavior, which only implies that these people will deny themselves self-awareness. It is clear that person-centered therapy usually relies on the client as the catalyst rather than the counselor, hence facilitating the healing process in an effective manner. Rogers had the belief that all people have the potential to achieve a proper state of mind if only they are guided through the options for them to choose the correct one. It is evident that people are basically good and would love to achieve appropriate mental health. The theory argues that every person has the capability to find solutions and answers to their own problems. Therefore, a counselor usually acts as a model of communication during the sessions but does not suggest pr provide solutions or answers for the person. Therefore, the therapists mainly provide an effective guidance and also structure in an initiative to enable the client form possible solutions relevant in solving the current situation facing them (William Glasser Institute).
On the other hand, reality therapy, which was developed in Los Angeles by William Glasser in the early 1960s with the assistance of his mentor Harrington. Considering the person-centered approach on psychotherapy, reality therapy usually focuses on three Rs implemented by the Psychiatry and entails realism, right-and-wrong, and responsibility. Glasser supposes that those people experiencing mental complications such as distress are going through these ordeals simply because their basic needs and demands are not met effectively. These basic needs include survival, power, love and belonging, fun and also freedom as well as independence. This implies that for the therapist to be successful, he or she must create an environment, which enables the client feel connected. Through such collaborations they will work together to identify those needs that are not met effectively (Counselling-Directory).
Reflective Summary
In the person-centered therapy, the therapists must ensure that their clients meet all the conditions required in order for them to be successful in enabling the client heal. These factors must be necessary for the growth and development of the client’s solutions to the problem. It is very clear that the counselor or therapist mainly aim at providing an environment, which their clients do not feel under any sort of pressure such as judgment or threat. Through availing a conducive environment, all clients are able to feel more comfortable, thereby, able to reconnect themselves with their own values as well as sense of self-worth.
According to reality therapy, in order for the person to attain the basic needs, the counselor must ensure that he or she provides an environment, where they feel or experience more connected. Reality therapy represents Glaser’s choice theory that mainly entails four different aspects such as thinking, followed by acting, then feeling and finally physiology. It is evident that when people struggle with their feelings and physiology, they are in a position to choose on their thoughts and even actions as well. Moreover, the theory usually acts on the present and thus discarding the past with an aim of achieving a more effective solution.
References
Counselling Directory. Humanistic therapies. Retrieved from
http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/humanistic.html
William Glasser Institute. Reality Therapy. Retrieved from
http://www.wglasser.com/the-glasser-approach/reality-therapy
