Jesslyn Guenther
Reflection Paper on Person-Centered Therapy
Counseling Theory and Practice
3/19/13
Reflection Paper on Person-Centered TherapyCounseling Theory and Practice
3/19/2013
Jesslyn Guenther
Reflection Paper on Person-Centered Therapy
I really like Person-Centered Therapy because it focuses on the client/therapist relationship in that the therapist needs to be totally genuine, empathetic and non-judgmental towards their client in order to gain the client’s trust so that the client will open up to the therapist about what they are thinking and feeling. The therapist does not give the client advice, but shows a genuine understanding of the client’s feelings so the client can potentially solve their own problems and decide which direction is best for them to take to begin the healing process.
Another thing I like about this therapy is there is no specific technique involved. The therapist can basically develop their own techniques as their relationship develops with the client.
There are a few potential problems that I find with this therapy, one is that there is no assessment of the client’s history taken so the therapist has no idea going into the therapy session anything about the client’s past experiences with family, friends, traumas, etc. Another potential problem I find with this therapy is that the client isn’t challenged enough by the therapist to have to think about why they feel or think a certain way. Finally, I think that some culturally diverse client’s might need a more structured therapy because their specific culture might take the genuineness, empathy, understanding and close relationship approach as a threat to their beliefs.
The Person-Centered therapy will have great relevance to my development as a professional AODA counselor because I already think of myself as a very genuine, understanding and accepting person. I am a very good listener and I think a good therapist/client relationship is essential to the counseling process. I agree with Carl Rogers that if the therapist is not in sync with the client and has a total opposite view to that of the client, the therapist can’t fake their caring, understanding and acceptance of the client and therefore the therapist/client relationship will not work out.
While reading about Person-Centered Therapy, Adler’s Therapy came to mind in his importance for encouragement. I think in a way, Person-Centered Therapy relates to Adler’s in the sense of caring and showing the client that yes, they can come to their own conclusions and make their own decisions about what is best for them in life.
I will share my reflections about this theory with my peers and use it in many situations I come upon in life, like being genuine, accepting and empathetic when listening to a family, friend or even a passing acquaintance concerns about decisions they are having trouble making in their life.