Week 14: Person-cetered counseling

Question 1

non-directive approach

Answer 1

in counselling emphasises the importance of the counsellor as a companion who might assist the client, rather than as an expert who will provide them with advice or direction. This approach relies on the therapeutic relationship as a means to allow the client to improve their understanding of self and help them to access their real self.

Question 2

‘conditions of worth’

Answer 2

is used to describe the way in which the self-concept of a child is shaped by parental influence. As a result of the conditions imposed by parents for gaining approval or positive regard, the self-concept (or view of self) will comprise a range of self-perceptions. If parenting is critical and harsh, a child may develop a sense that some, or all, of their behaviour is unacceptable to others, so the self-concept is more likely to include feelings of confusion, uselessness and frustration. Such an individual may only feel positive about themselves when they behave in particular ways that please others, or at least avoid their criticism.

Question 3

Empathy

Answer 3

is the process by which the counsellor enters the private world of the client, becoming attuned to their understanding and their experiences. You may recall the quote from To Kill a Mockingbird: ‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.’ (Lee, 2010, p. 39)

Question 4

Congruence

Answer 4

refers to the need for the counsellor to be real, or genuine, with their client by listening to their own internal feelings and being prepared to communicate their thoughts and feelings to the client. This provides useful modelling for the client by helping them to learn to trust their own internal feelings.