American Beauty

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Recommended: Strengths and weaknesses of person centered therapy

1. Introduction The following case study is presented from the person-centred approach. As Corey, 2005 explains, person-centred therapy views assessment and diagnosis as an on-going evolution and not a formal process. This process involves interpersonal and intrapersonal learning that is designed to be a self-discovery. As each person is unique it is important to maintain that quality and not simply reduce it to a limited formal diagnosis. Here I a present the case study based on the life of Lester Burnham, a prominent character in the movie American Beauty (Cohen, Jinks and Mendes, 2006). This case study showcases person-centred therapy in practice, highlighting the core values and basic assumptions intrinsic to the approach. 2. Case study …show more content…

Empathy and acceptance are partners in valuing the client, enabling the promotion of essential worth (Mearns and Thorne, 1999). Egan (2007) explains having an empathic presence is possible by being noticeably attuned to the client. This requires behaviours that are not always verbal in nature. The face and body can communicate even when there is silence. Body position, facial expressions and voice inflections all contribute to the mood of the communication and are important in increasing the empathetic environment (Egan, 2007). It is essential that all of these processes be presented authentically. Self-regard is a major constituent in the discovery of the client’s self-concept. Research shows that successful therapy is the product of a client obtaining an attitude toward the self that is significantly positive (Rogers and Witty, 2008; Seeman and Raskin, …show more content…

In assessing Lester I am interested in how he views himself. He is experiencing difficulty with his self-concept. He is not sure who he is or what he should be (Moon, 2007; Rogers, 1990). He used to think life was simple. Going to work to earn money to support his family. As he experiences eminent demise of his settled world he becomes confused as to who he needs to be. His old concept of himself as a family man is not working for him anymore. He no longer loves and admires his wife as he used to. He has trouble relating to his daughter who he feels rejects

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