Person-centered therapy

Person-centered therapy

Introduction

There are many theories evolve in the study of psychology to facilitate the client in coping mental illness or diseases. At times certain events of life imposes massive impact on human mind, resulting in depression and changes in the behavior. The theories of psychotherapy help in overcoming the problem by showing humanistic side to the subject. Person centered therapy is considered to be an important theory in the field of psychotherapy (Corey, 2012).

Theory's Origin

Carl roger is the founder of person-centered, which is also called as client-centered or Rogerian theory. He is considered as the father of humanistic movement in psychotherapy. Roger develop the concept in 1940's and presented personal view of human experience highlight client resources for becoming self-aware and determininghurdles to personal growth. He has regarded great importance to client in the process of therapy (Mearns & Thorne, 2007).

Karl Roger was born in Illinois America in 1902, he was shy as a young boy and enrolled to study agricultural science, and he withdrew and entered the Teachers College at Columbia University. He laid the foundation of client-centered psychotherapy and initiated the development of scientific method of conducting therapeutic process. He published his ideas in reputed journals which made him well-known figure in American psychology. Before his inference most of the theories were based on psychiatry and psychoanalysis (Bryant-Jefferies, 2005).

Theory's Basic Philosophy

The philosophy of the theory is based on the self-directed growth and is built in the concept of trust between therapist and client. The fundamental concept of the theory is based on the fact that humans are Architect of their own lives and possess innate urge to progress towards self-actualization stage. The theory holds optimisticopinion of humanity and assumes that individualsnaturallyendeavor toward becoming fully active. The theory has a strong emphasis on client-therapist relationship in which therapists' views and approaches in the internalmeans of the client that constructs the therapeutic climate for growth. The factor of change depends upon client not the therapist (Bryant-Jefferies, 2005).

The theory suggests that under conducive environment given by therapist, client will be able to move forward and resolve their issues. Clients are considered to be the directors of their lives. The success of the therapy relies on the therapist-client relationship and the way they interact with each other, building relationship on trust and vulnerability (Bryant-Jefferies, 2005).)

Theory's view of human nature

The theory holds the view that humans are enthusiastic towards life and can architect their own goals and objectives for their lives. The proponent of the theory assumes that the hierarchy of need is present in almost every human and they have the innate tendency for self-actualization. It also suggests that humans have self determination to change their lives as without the direction or interpretation from external sources (Mearns & Thorne, 2007).

Assumptions to the theory

The theory is based on the empowerment of client for activation of self-healing.

Clients actualize potential for growth, wholeness, spontaneity, inner-directedness.

Humans have potential for growth and possess individualistic approach and have high ...