A decrease in feelings of regret and guilt.A greater sense of calm with a reduced level of anxiety.Reduction in negative emotions and thoughts.A greater ability to handle your stress effectively.Increased happiness and general well-being.An increased level and sense of self-awareness.A more fulfilling and positive relationship with self and others.An increased ability to self-direct the desired changes in one’s life.Unlike other therapies that will majorly aim at resolving the issue at hand, person-centered therapy differs on this ground as here you will be able to fetch many more other benefits. An individual is equipped with the resources that will help them change their attitudes, self-concept, and behavior.There is a genuine desire to heal and make positive changes.Have an innate desire to reach their fullest potential in life (become self-actualized).An individual is fundamentally good (rather than being inherently flawed).The assumptions of person-centered therapy stem from Roger’s humanistic theory. Key Assumptions of Client-Centered Therapy Slowly and gradually they experience a sense of richness in their lives, become psychologically more relaxed, and experience life more fully. By experiencing acceptance, genuineness, and empathy from the therapist they learn and change the way they relate to others. With progress in therapy, they are able to identify how they contributed to the problems they are facing right now and further take responsibility for the same (rather than blaming others). With this, they gradually become more self-aware. As the therapy progresses the client finally starts to express their feelings, putting behind their fear and concerns. It all starts with when the client is not open to change, ready to express their feelings or take responsibility for them. Person-centered therapy is a journey from being closed, not open to experience, and not self-aware to openness to experience, self-awareness, and positive self-regard (Carl Roger, 1961). When the genuineness, acceptance, and empathy are conveyed by the therapist and experienced by the client only then the client-centered therapy. Perception of empathy and acceptance: As a client you too should perceive that yes you are being understood and accepted. By appreciating clients for being themselves, the therapist makes no judgement of people’s negative or positive qualities.Įmpathy: The therapist needs to be empathetic so that he can understand the client’s world without being influenced by them. Unconditional positive regard:The therapist accepts the client as he is, without attaching any conditions.
This further helps him to encounter the client effectively. Incongruence:There is psychological distress which creates discrepancy between the person’s perception of himself and his actual experience.Ĭongruence:The therapist must be genuine and be himself. Psychological contact: There should be two people in therapy and both should try to have some impact on each other. There are certain core conditions cum principles that have to meet for person-centered therapy to work and bring important changes. Necessary and Core Conditions of Person-Centered Therapy To Bring Change Being less concerned about meeting others’ expectations and pleasing them.Moving on the path of self-discovery and acceptance.Accepting and respecting others’ true selves.To develop an increased sense of self-awareness.Welcome openness to experience and develop a true sense of self.To deeply understand various facets of themselves.The main goal of client-centered therapy is to help you become “fully functioning.”.Some of the major and common goals of therapy are: Instead of creating the counseling goals for you, they aim at creating a therapeutic environment that will help you become fully functioning. The goals of therapy in person-centered therapy comes from the client (you) and not the therapist. Unconditional positive regard: The counselor will be non-judgemental and will value you for who you are as a person (without any conditions attached).