FCN109: Core Model Of Counselling
In this assignment, I will outline the history of Person Centered approach and also give an overview of the concepts within the theory. I will also discuss the main features that make up the theory and how they would work within a helping relationship. I will then show how I would use the approach with a case study that I have chosen and then compare this theory to other person centered developed theories and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these.
Carl Rogers (1902-87) was a major developer of Person Centered therapy back in the 1950s. He was brought up by loving, but controlling religious parents who expected him to work hard. However it wasn’t until he visited China for a Student Christian Conference, distanced from his parents way of thinking and living, that he found himself thinking for himself and realised he couldn’t go along with their ways anymore. After training in psychology, he further developed his ‘non-directive’ approach such named as the therapist wasn’t directing the client. By focusing on the client’s speech and body language, he realised that the client knows what hurts, what’s important to them and which direction they want to go in. Rogers believed that we have the power in us to resolve our own problems, realise our potential and make positive changes in our lives. The approach recognises that humans are on a continuous journey to reach their full potential and feel satisfied, however this can only happen if the right conditions are met. The theory originally focused on the needs of the client and the client leading the session.
However, throughout the years, it became apparent about the therapists frame of reference and the types of conditions needed to create a safe, warm and none judgmental space for clients to explore and develop these skills for themselves. This is where Rogers developed his core conditions that are needed for the helping relationship to be successful and for the client to grow. By using different concepts from the humanistic psychology side of things, he started to fine tune and explore how the therapist should be in a helping relationship. Rogers began understanding the client’s frame of reference by ‘stepping into their world’ and feeling and seeing things as they do. He believes that the client is the expert as each person has a unique way of looking at things and how they experience them. By providing a certain type of relationship, the client can then express and explore themselves freely.
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Person Centered therapy focuses more on the direction of client, rather than the counsellor leading the sessions and deciding which direction to take and allows the client to lead the sessions, which in turn allows the client to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and feel empowered.
