(Author, Department, University,
Corresponding Address and email)
Overview of Theory
Life experiences that impact theory development
The person-centered approach proposes a different dimension of the health of human being on which a new form of therapy could be established (Santos, 2005). Person centered therapy started with the idea of Rogers that both he and his clients are trustworthy. The basic thought was that human beings are actually good in nature and want good for everyone in the surrounding. Rogers was of opinion that unconditional positive regard could help in making positive well-thought-out choices for their own life. This is also shown by research that “unconditional positive regard” has significant important in therapeutic conditions (Traynor, Elliott, & Cooper, 2011). Rogers found that the therapist’s positive response helps clients in moving out of confusion, fear, or anger, i.e. therapist would show empathy to the client, thereby helping in making true personal connection. This results in deeper relationship of client with the therapist leading to detailed discussion about the problem and therapy. However, judgment or putting down would not improve the relationship of client with the therapist (Traynor et al., 2011).
Empirical application of therapy
Person Centered Therapy is an effective therapeutic procedure for clients, who complete subsequent questionnaires and start with the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. This therapy also works efficiently, when a person loses his or her inner strength of fighting with the disorder, when a person is in search of a life’s meaning, and when the other people in the surrounding show no confidence in the inner strength of the person (van Kalmthout, 2008). Rogers was of opinion that if he would be able to support someone through the process of inner strength, he would be able to improve outcomes by giving freedoms and powers to choose from many different options of therapeutic procedure.
In order to improve the condition of a client, a therapist has to instruct him or her on what is needed to be done and how he or she can improve the current situation. Rogers firmly believed that individuals need not to be instructed on what to do as they have a natural ability to decide what is good for them. This thinking has greatly changed today’s therapeutic practice. Roger’s theory also faced criticism as people thought that person centered therapy could make individuals feel that they are in control of themselves and they would not go to Lord for their therapeutic needs. However, Roger’s thought was that humans must not feel that they are above the Lord but they can have control over their destiny. All they have to do is to walk with their beliefs and to make the required changes.
Conclusions
References
Boeree, C. G. (2006). Carl Rogerss: 1902-1987. Retrieved from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/Rogerss.html
Cooper, M., Watson, J. C., & Holldampf, D. (2010). Person-Centered and Experiential Therapies Work: A Review of the Research on Counseling, Psychotherapy and Related Practices: PCCS Books.
Rogers, C. R. (1979). Client-centered Therapy: Houghton Mifflin.
Santos, C. (2005). Abordagem centrada na pessoa: relação terapêutica e processo de mudança. Psilogos: Revista do Serviço de Psiquiatria do Hospital Fernando Fonseca, 18-23.
Traynor, W., Elliott, R., & Cooper, M. (2011). Helpful factors and outcomes in person-centered therapy with clients who experience psychotic processes: therapists' perspectives. Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies, 10(2), 89-104.
van Kalmthout, M. (2008). Meaning in a Godless Universe: A challenge for person-centered therapy / Sinn in einem gottlosem Universum: Eine Herausforderung für Personzentrierte Therapie / Sentido en un universo sin Dios: Un desafío para la terapia centrada en la persona / Le sens dans un univers sans Dieu: Un défi pour la thérapie centrée sur la personne / O significado num universo desprovido de Deus: Um desafio à terapia centrada na pessoa / / Zingeving in een universum zonder God: Een uitdaging voor persoonsgerichte therapie. Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies, 7(1), 56-69. doi: 10.1080/14779757.2008.9688452
