There are several different theories and techniques in the psychology field. The point of this paper will include many aspects that are implemented in person-centered therapy, specifically from Mearns and Thorns’ point of view. In this discussion of Mearns and Thorns’ person-center therapy, include will be personal reactions towards their book, Person-Centred Counselling in Action, how culture is addressed in this book, and some of their theory compared and contrast to other theories.
Personal Reaction
When I first read the title of this book, Person-Centred Counselling in Action, it seems very interesting. This book is based on British community. The term ‘Counseling’ in Britain means ‘Psychotherapy’ in America. They use the term ‘counseling’ by confining their selves to relatively short-term therapeutic relationships (Mearns & Thorns, 2013). My personal reaction to Mearns and Thorns’ theory includes several concepts that I would like to implement in my career. After reading the book, I realize their theory is based on Rogers’ theory, Client-centered therapy. They quote Rogers’ terms to explain what it means and develop their own meanings.
Introduction
Throughout this section of the book I enjoyed reading the reasons why Mearns and Thorns wrote this book to edit their previous edition. I read this section after I read the entire book. It helped to understand more about the concepts of the book. This section explained why Rogers used the term ‘client-centered’ instead of ‘person-centered’ and also why Mearns and Thorns used the expression ‘person-centered,’ with three reasons. Rogers himself first used the expression ‘person-centered approach,’ but he always confined the expression to non-counseling activities. Th...
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...athy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence. Mearns & Thorns developed the concepts with their experiences with people who need their helps. Person-centered theory had many similarities to the existential approach. The book, Person-centered counseling in action, seemed a good training method for counseling therapist.
Works Cited
Mearns, D., & Thorns, B. (2013). Person-centred counseling in action (4th ed., Chapter 1-9). London, UK: SAGE Publications Ltd.
McLeod, J. (2013). Person-centred counseling in action (4th ed., Chapter 10). London, UK: SAGE Publications Ltd.
Todd, J., & Bohart, C. A. (2006). Foundations of clinical and counseling psychology (4th ed.). Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, Inc.
Sahai, N. (2013). Multicultural competence. [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from https://online.siu.edu/d2l/le/content/118421/viewContent/733249/View
According to Shebib (2016) the therapeutic or helping relationship, the role of the counsellor and client has a significant impact on the desired outcome for the client. However, in relation to the two theoretical models of counselling under discussion, the therapeutic relationships differ among the client and therapist roles (Corey 2009). In Person-Centred Therapy, the relationship between client and counsellor is viewed as being the person in the environment and the client is the expert of into their environment. There is a repetition of equality amongst the client-counsellor relationship (Corey, 2009). This notion that focus to placed onto the client and not the problem ( Shebeb, 2017). The counsellor’s attitude has a significant role
As the field of counseling continues to progress numerous theoretical orientations have been developed. One theoretical approach to counseling has been coined as person centered counseling or client centered therapy. This type of approach is commonly referred to as Rogerian psychotherapy. Rogerian therapy focuses on the empowerment of individuals with the inner self. These constructs are vital to ensuring and promoting a transparent and honest atmosphere which subsequently results in effective counseling. The behaviors that are found in client centered counseling are valuable as they motivate the client to explore their "hidden feelings" and become aware of where their feelings derive from. Being afforded the rare opportunity to see Rogers
In the second part of the book Rogers speaks of his ideas of his theory of the person-centered approach to therapy. This is the part of the book that I felt really spoke to me. Person-centered theory is a lot of what I would like to do. I enjoy the ideas and concepts that Rogers presents in his theory. I think that it is extremely important to be able to take into consideration not only the diagnosis of the patient/client with whom you are working, but that it is more important to be able to take the time to sit back and to listen to them. I have realized in the year that I have been working in the psychiatric hospital how important it is for the patient/client to just sit back and listen to what it is they're saying to you. This however does not mean I am only hearing their words, but that I am listening at a much deeper level and actually he...
To explain, the client should not be inferior to the counselor; the environment should be two people discussing an issue and ways to make a difference. A therapist should occasionally share similar experiences; therefore, sessions should make clients feel comfortable. To add, the client should feel safe due to the positive atmosphere the therapist brings to the session. The goal is to finally give the client a chance to be heard, regularly people are muted and feel like they are insignificant to society. Similarly, to Person-centered therapy where communication with the client is unconditionally positive. The therapist needs to genuinely care about the client needs for them to fully express themselves successfully. Furthermore, clients should be encouraging to make their own choices which model how to identify and use power responsibly. Hence, this will help the client feel more confident in everyday life when making a meaningful
Rogers, C. R. (1961). A Therapist’s View of Psychotherapy. On Becoming a Person. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Nelson-Jones, R. (2008) Basic Counselling Skills – A Helper’s Manual, 2nd edition, London: Sage Publications.
The assumption is however, that the client was never able to have their feelings heard by the people surrounding them. Person Centered Therapy would allow the client to then be able to express their feelings openly. According to Strupp (1971), “psychotherapeutic relationship is in principle indistinguishable from any good human relationship in which a person feels fully accepted, respected, and prized” (p. 39). Thus, there must be a therapeutic alliance between therapist and client. This therapeutic alliance should creative an environment for the client in which the client feels the therapist is judgment-free.
The counselor accomplishes the above by expressing empathy, developing discrepancies, going along with resistance and supporting self-efficacy. Moreover, the counselor guides the client toward a solution that will lead to permanent posi...
Seligman, L., & Reichenberg, L. W. (2014). Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Systems, Strategies, and Skills (4th Edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
...entation, or several, in which they choose to practice in their professional career. Psychoanalysis and Person-Centered Therapy are just two, out of over four hundred types, of counseling approaches in use today. The constructs and theories are extremely different, however, neither can be considered right nor wrong. They are simply based on different beliefs, assumptions and viewpoints of human development and their behavior. Although, however different and unique, there are still similarities between the two types of therapy approaches. Through case examples, such as the case of D and the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder, the techniques and outcomes of different treatment approaches can be see in real life examples. Past research and writing support brings about contradictions, criticism and treatment outcomes to the theories and those who developed them.
Person-Centred Counselling established its origins in the late 1940 during a conference when Carl Rogers gave a talk entitled ‘New Concepts in Psychotherapy’. The summarisation of the talk resulted in the theory that the client in a counselling relationship should be at the center of the relationship and lead the counselling process. The Client, in effect became the expert on their life and/or problems. The fundamental belief is that an individual is capable of change, growth and fulfillment (self-concept). Person-Centred counselling looks at ‘the here and now’ and how to make changes that affect the future. Person-Centred Counselling generated a system known as the ‘Core Conditions Model’ which emphasized three key components: Empathy, Congruence and Acceptance.
Corey, G. (2013). Theory and practice of counseling and psychology. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Cenage Learning
Reflecting on the Person-Centered Therapy, it is similar to the Existential Therapy because it focuses on the client/therapist relationship, where the therapist needs to be totally genuine, empathetic and non-judgmental toward their clients in order to gain the client’s trust. I like the fact that the Person-Centered Therapy views the client as their best authority on their own experience, and being fully capable of fulfilling their own potential for growth. I also like the fact that the therapist is non-directive, does not give advice and there is no specific technique involved. Person Centered Therapy can basically develop their own technique as their relationship develop with the client.
McCarthy, C. J. & Archer, J., Jr. (2013). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy. San Diego: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. ISBN: 9781621781059