Application of Person-centered Therapy to Meng's Case

Play Therapy is suitable for children from about 3 to 16 years of age, although it can be adapted for young people in their late teens, and even for adults, including the elderly (O'Connor & Schaefer 1994). Techniques in play therapy is chosen for Meng, not just because of his chronological age, but also aimed at helping Meng become aware of and express his feelings; manage anger; improve self-control; increase empowerment; and enhance problem-solving skills.

(a) The Power Animal Technique: Internalizing a Positive Symbol of Strength

This technique (by Deborah A. Hickey) requires the client to choose an animal from a large variety that is most appealing to him. The client will then be asked to make a mask with the animal face on it, and finally the therapist will ask the client to imagine what the animal might do in certain situations and how it might solve a specific problem. By regularly consulting with the animal, the therapist will help the client move deeper into internalization of the strengths and attributes the client projects onto the animal (Kaduson & Schaefer, 2001).

The Power Animal Technique is useful to client as a positive introject. Meng has low self-esteem and poorly integrated self-concept, ineffective problem-solving skills and difficult relationships with peers and adults. The therapeutic goals of this technique include improving the client’s positive sense of self and increasing his coping skills. It would be useful and easier for Meng to articulate what strengths he wished he had or what attributes would help him cope more effectively. The Power Animal Technique provides Meng with an imaginative and enjoyable method of internalizing those strengths and attributes that he desires. By doing so, Meng could ...

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...move toward developing a sensitivity to the problems of living and will develop an empathic quality towards others. Indeed, all these are the attitudinal values which are foremost, for genuineness, trust and positivity to happened in therapeutic relationship, for any therapeutic changes to happen. In this case of Meng, the therapist values Meng as a person who is unique and free agent and helps Meng to be appreciative of himself and be more congruent with his self-concepts. Inspite of the current climate of emphasis on short-term, directive, and problem-solving therapy, person-centered therapy with its humanistic nature has be absorbed and applied as backdrop and pillars of many modern counseling techniques. More importantly, to conclude, it is believed that the attitudinal values of person-centered therapists will prevail, in the long run in the field of counseling.