Person-centered therapy

Question 1

What is the view of human nature in PCT?

Answer 1

• each person is unique
• each person has the ability to reach their full potential given the right conditions
• every person has the inner strive towards actualisation since birth
• condition of worth shaped by parents/others is internalised as self-worth
• conditions fostering growth is paramount (i.e. trust, acceptance)

Question 2

What are the key concepts in PCT?

Answer 2

1. congruence
2. genuineness (and genuineness of the counsellor)
3. unconditional positive regard
4. positive self-regard

Question 3

Key concept; what would lack of congruence look like?

What does congruence mean?

Answer 3

consistency between the perceived and actual self
inconsistency –> tension –> internal confusion

Question 4

Key concept

What does genuineness mean?

Answer 4

• emotional honesty
• being true to their real and perceived self
• understanding and acceptance of the real self

Question 5

Key concept

What would genuineness of the counsellor look like?

Answer 5

• unpretentious self
• transparent contact
• sharp awareness of their experiences and how this awareness is expressed to the client
• take responsibility of their actions

Question 6

Key concept

What does unconditional positive regard mean?

Answer 6

• willing to accept ‘negative’ emotions and be comfortable with it
• perception of worth is not based on the person’s outward behaviour/thoughts/feelings
• acceptance and support regardless of what the person says or does

Question 7

Key concept

What does positive self-regard mean?

Answer 7

• positive attitude towards the self that is not dependent on others
• acceptance of true self

Question 8

Therapeutic process

What are the therapeutic goals of PCT?

Answer 8

1. focus on the person, not the problem
2. achieve a greater degree of independence and integration
3. assist with client’s growth process to increase their coping abilities

Question 9

Therapeutic process

What is the therapist’s role and function?

Answer 9

• therapist as the instrument of change –> rooted in the counsellor’s way of being and attitude
• attitude and belief that client’s inner resources can be used for growth

Question 10

What would the client’s initial experience in therapy be like?

Answer 10

1. initially helpless and powerless
2. initial discrepancy between self-concept and ideal self-concept

Question 11

What is the therapeutic relationship like?

Answer 11

• characterised by equality between the incongruent client and congruent therapist
• therapist’s unconditional positive regard for client
• collaborative process
• accurate empathic understanding

Question 12

Part of the therapeutic relationship

What is accurate empathic understanding?

Answer 12

• therapist draws from their own experiences that may be similar to client’s feelings
• therapist understands the meaning and feeling of what client is experiencing

Question 13

What are the strengths of PCT?

Answer 13

1. appropriate for crisis intervention as it gives client the opportunity to fully express themselves
2. applicable for diverse cultures because theory grounds in the belief that every person is unique
3. highly optimistic and humanising

Question 14

What are the limitations of PCT?

Answer 14

1. may not be appropriate for clients who prefer more directive therapists or more structured therapies
2. may not be effective for clients who lack motivation or insight into their behaviours