Person-Centered Psychotherapy
aka Rogerian Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy can be seen as a reaction to
Theory of Personality
Actualizing Tendency: Human beings are driven to
Organismic Valuing Process:
Self-concept:
We then strive for ________________________ for that self. We need to be loved,
cherished, approved of. We first look to our parents for this.
Tension between ________________________________ and striving to receive
________________________________.
Self-regard –
It may be more important to please others and gain love than self-actualize.
Theory of Psychopathology
Pathology is often the result of _______________________________ which leads to
___________________________________________ between self (the way we see
ourselves) and experience (the way we really are).
We distort or deny the parts of ourselves that may not be of value to others.
Subceive: ____________________________
____________________________
experiences that are threatening (anger, disliking someone, failing) and use defenses to
prevent ourselves from consciously perceiving the experience. These experiences present
themselves in other ways (physical symptoms, compulsions, etc). We all do this, some
more than others. We all have an image of ourselves that we are trying to maintain so we
deny specific thoughts, desires, or behaviors that are inconsistent with that image.
Therapeutic Relationship
The relationship IS what heals the client. There are six necessary and sufficient
conditions for therapy.
1. Relationship
2. Vulnerability
3. Genuineness
4. Unconditional Positive Regard
5. Accurate Empathy
6. Perception of Genuineness
Therapeutic Processes
Consciousness Raising -
Catharsis -
Therapeutic Content
Intrapersonal conflicts
Focuses on conflict between ideal self and actual self (incongruence)
Anxiety is the result of incongruence.
Self-esteem = self-regard.
Responsibility = autonomy
Interpersonal Conflicts
Intimacy
Communication
Hostility
Control
Individuo-Social conflicts
Becoming a fully self-actualized person is consistent with becoming a functioning
member of society.
Accepting oneself puts an end to destructive impulsive behaviors.
Fulfillment is reached in being all you were intended to be, finding meaning in your life,
and being a creative, free person not constricted to what others want you to be.
Person-Centered Therapy in Practice
People from a wide range of educational backgrounds use Rogerian therapy.
Personal therapy or participation in group therapy is desirable.