CHAPTER 10
PERSON-CENTERED
APPROACH TO GROUPS
By LaTrece Gaither
Brief History
• Developed by Carl Rogers in the 1940s
• Based on Rogers Nondirective counseling
• Shifted from client-centered to person-centered therapy
• According to Bozarth, Zimring, and Tausch (2002), this therapy
went through a few shifts.
Overview
• Length of groups varies from weekly to week long encounters
• Members aren’t typically screened before entering the group
• This approach places trust in human beings internal locus of control
and drive to realize their full potential
• Core therapeutic skills emphasized are:
• Genuineness
• Unconditional Positive Regard and Acceptance
• Empathy
Genuineness
“Genuineness is the state of authenticity that results from a deep
exploration of self and a willingness to accept the truths of this
exploration” (Corey, 2008, p. 250)
Draw backs:
• Difficulty being themselves
• Discussing personal problems as a way of being “authentic”
Unconditional Positive Regard
and Acceptance
• An acceptance of and caring for group members
• Can be demonstrated by gestures, tone of voice, facial
expression, and eye contact
Draw back
• Unrealistic view that we always need to be accepting and warm
Empathy
• Being able to “sense accurately the feelings and personal meanings
members are experiencing” AND “communicate this understanding
“ back to them (Corey, 2008, p.253).
Draw back
• Belief we have to have experienced the exact problem to be
empathetic.
Role and Function of Group Leader
• This approach is more focused on personal qualities than
techniques of group leaders
• Group leaders are considered Facilitators
• Central focus is to establish a therapeutic climate for the group to
interact in honest and meaningful ways
Role and Function of Group Leader
• Characteristics include:
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Trust group process
Listen
Do what they can create/facilitate a psychologically safe environment
Attempt to be empathetic and accepting
Stay present
Offer feedback and challenges to members
Avoid judgment, but offer how they are affected
The Group Process
• Rogers believed that there were several different trends and patterns that
happen in this group approach which are:
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Milling around
Resistance to personal expression or exploration
Description of past feelings
Expression of negative feelings
Expression and exploration of personally meaningful material
Expression of immediate interpersonal feelings in the group
Development of a healing capacity in the group
Self-acceptance and the beginning of change
Cracking of facades
Feedback
Confrontation
The helping relationship outside the group sessions
The basic encounter
Expression of feelings of closeness
Behavior changes in the group
Person-Centered Expressive Art in Groups
• Developed by Rogers’ daughter, Natalie Rogers
• Has slightly more structure as she gives guidelines at the start of
each group experience
• It utilizes expressive arts to relay spontaneous creative expression
Limitations
• The major limitation of this approach is that is lacks direction and
structure
Exercise
• Take a moment to think about this weekend and draw whatever
comes to mind. Keep in mind these guidelines:
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Be aware of your feelings and your own body, and take care of yourself
There is no right or wrong way to do art
All instructions are always suggestions
Do not judge others, and keep the general bounds of confidentiality
Once your done, break into pairs and discuss this experience with one
another. What did you draw? Or didn’t draw? Why?
Reference
Corey, G. (2008). Theory & practice of group counseling. Belmont,
CA: Brooks/Cole.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/video/LgdjeNZtqPQjourney-into-self-carl-rogers.aspx