The Core Conditions

Each counselling approach is informed by theory regarding human personality and development. Theory also defines the skills and techniques used by the counsellor. Without theory the counsellor would only be using a set of skills. It provides direction and helps to work efficiently. Theory also provides a framework for the counselling process. It also determines the kind of training the counsellor has to do in order to become a practitioner of that specific approach. Therapeutic interventions and process of change is also determined by the actual approach used. Choosing an approach also depends on the philosophical ideas behind the approach, eg. in person-centred approach the counsellor and the client are equals, two human beings communicate with each other.

 

 

During the 1940s a more optimistic approach was developed by Carl Rogers in the USA, the person-centred therapy, which was radically different from the analytical methods used before. Roger had an optimistic view of human nature and was convinced that people are essentially good and we are not just the products of our traumatic pasts.

In Rogers’ view the person has inner resources that can be activated if the right conditions are provided. In real life these resources can be obscured or forgotten usually because we get positive regard, love, acceptance or respect on conditions and our perception of self is affected by other’s evaluation or expectations, or in other words, others’ values and judgements are introjected. Personality is developed as a result of this subjective experiencing. In PCA it is called Self-concept, it is the belief that the person has about himself/herself.

His idea was that if the real organismic self is provided the right conditions by someone, the person can grow and develop to his/her full potential, just like a plant if provided the right conditions. This process is also called self-actualization.

In person-centred therapy the aim is to provide the core conditions of congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathy to create an environment for the client to develop and grow. The counsellor’s only goal is to sustain this attitude in the relationship with the client, therefore it’s non-directive. The client and the counsellor are on an equal level, the counsellor does not represent authority or knowledge.

In addition, there is psychological contact between the client and the counsellor and the client is emotionally troubled when he/she enters therapy or in other words incongruent. Finally, the counsellor’s positive regard communicated to the client must be perceived by the client. The counselling skills of active listening, paraphrasing etc. can be used in this approach but the emphasis is on the attitude of the counsellor, as Rogers said it is a “way of being”.

The counsellor provides a safe environment for the client, where the client is encouraged to focus on the subjective understanding of their situation in the here and now. (not the counsellor’s interpretation) The counsellor tries to get into the client’s frame of reference, dealin
g with the conscious awareness. In this type of relationship the client will be free to explore his feelings and thoughts, without the fear of being rejected or judged. Therapy might be the first time in one’s life when they experience being respected, understood and accepted without judgement or conditions imposed on them.

As a result of person-centred therapy the client will feel less guilty, trust oneself more, be better at self-expression, be more self-aware, have higher self-esteem and have healthier relationships. All in all, the ideal and the actual self will be closer, the client will be closer to a fully functioning person and will be more congruent.

This approach may be helpful for people with low self-esteem, depression, relationship problems, anxiety etc.

Bibliography:

Margaret Hough, Counselling Skills and Theory

Dave Mearns & Brian Thorne, Person-Centred Counselling in Action