Person-Centered Therapy Flashcards
Person-centered theory is the root of this subset of psychology:
positive psychology
What makes person-centered therapy different than other forms of therapy?
It develops a non-directive client-centered approach to psychotherapy, it de-emphasizes pathology, and it focuses on the strengths and resources of the individual.
In person-centered theory, what drives us as individuals?
The “self-actualizing root” we use to become our best selves.
Which two psychologists are the faces of person-centered theory?
Carl Jung & Carl Rogers
What does a “phenomenological perspective” mean?
What’s important is our own perception of reality, not reality itself.
What are the core concepts of person-centered theory?
The organism, the organism’s phenomenal field, an innate need for attention, incongruence, and congruence.
What is “the organism”?
The total individual - both our physical and psychological wellbeing.
What is “the organism’s phenomenal field”?
Everything we experience, whether consciously or unconsciously; all of our choices, thoughts, interactions, behaviors, etc.
Why is the organism’s phenomenal field important to understand?
Since this is what we are comprised of, it’s what we use for reference for moving forward or in terms of choices we make. (our internal frame of reference)
What does Rogers say about our innate need for affection?
Humans have a need for positive regard - to be valued, to be loved, to be accepted, etc. We need this to survive and develop a healthy personality.
Where does our innate need for affection come from?
This comes from our interactions with other individuals and our interpretations on how those interactions go. For example, through this, we learn what to do and what NOT to do to stay in someone’s good graces.
What is incongruence, and where does it come from?
A disconnect between our ideal self & our true self; it’s the potential source of all of our psychological issues (anxiety, depression, poor coping skills). This stems from any kind of disconnect or how our perceptions become distorted.
What happens when we’re in an incongruent state?
We believe what others want us to believe rather than we WE believe. This leads to us making choices based on what others want or believe.
How can we remain congruent?
We can remain congruent by communicating an unconditional positive regard to ourselves and others. Love isn’t a condition; we don’t have to accept actions and behaviors of others, but just accept the person for who they are.
What makes someone a Fully-Functioning Person/Individual? (FFP/FFI)
- Displays no defensiveness and no conditions of worth
- Only experiences unconditional positive regard from their key significant others and people in their life
- Also experiences a state of congruency between their own concept of self and their life experiences
What are the key characteristics of a Fully-Functioning Person/Individual? (FFP/FFI)
- Open to all experiences & stimuli from their environment
- A true, positive nature
- Creativity, as well as a desire to help others reach their full potential
What is the most influential aspect about person-centered therapy?
The relationship between the therapist and the client.
Which theory laid the foundation for the importance of client-therapeutic relationships?
Person-centered theory
What are the factors of an effective client-therapeutic relationship?
- Psychological contact (both see their time together as a relationship
- Incongruent client (there’s got to be a reason why the client is there)
- Congruent couselor/therapist (being genuine & healthy)
- Unconditional positive regard (accept each cleint for who they are)
- Empathy (sense the client’s private world as if it were yours)
- Communication of empathy (show the client that you’re on the journey with them)
Therapeutic techniques for person-centered therapy:
- Acting listening
- Reflection of feeling
- Paraphrasing
What is expressive arts therapy?
A derivative of Roger’s person-centered and creativity theory that extends the approach to spontaneous creative expression, which symbolizes deep and sometimes inaccessible deelings and emotional states.
What are the principles of expressive arts therapy?
- All people have an innate ability to create.
- The creative process is transformative and healing.
- Personal growth and higher states of consciousness are achieved through self-awareness, self-understanding, and insight.
- Our feelings and emotions are an energy source than can be channeled into the expressive arts to be released and transformed.
- The unconscious leads us to express new facets and information about ourselves through art.
- Art forms stimulate and nurture each other, bringing us to an essence that is our life energy.
- A connection exists between our life force - our inner core, or soul, and the essence of all beings.
- As we journey inward to discover our essence, we discover our relatedness to the outer world, and the inner and outer become one.
What is motivational interviewing? (MI)
MI is a humanistic, client-centered, psychosocial, and modestly directive couseling approach. It stresses client self-responsibility and promotes an invitational style for working cooperatively with clients to generate alternative solutions to behavioral problems.
How does MI differ from person-centered therapy?
MI is deliberately directive, while staying within the client’s frame of reference.
