Describe the general principles of client-centered therapy. Include information about its theoretical background, how it seeks to help people, its key concepts, and three basic elements necessary in a successful client-therapist relationship.
What will be an ideal response?
Client-centered (or person-centered) therapy, developed by Carl Rogers in the 1930s, is based on his idea that much of the responsibility for treatment should be placed on the client, as opposed to the therapist. He believed that clients know themselves best, so they are better equipped to solve their own problems; the therapist's role is to help by asking questions and providing a positive and supportive environment in which clients are free to explore and discuss issues that are important to them-until they eventually find alternative ways of thinking that lead them to personal growth. Rogers believed that the therapist's attitude was critical to the success of therapy, and that they should strive to achieve three goals in their interactions with clients: congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathy.
Congruence describes a therapist who is not acting or pretending when interacting with a client, but who is genuinely and deeply involved, drawing on their own feelings and experiences. Clients also need to feel unconditional positive regard from their therapist, which means that the client feels comfortable, safe, and accepted, without judgment, criticism, or disapproval from the therapist. A therapist with empathy tries to show understanding and sensitivity toward the client's feelings and situation. The therapist shows empathy through good listening skills, and through reflecting or paraphrasing what the client has said. Even though the therapist does not give the client any advice or guidance, client-centered therapy requires a lot of work on the part of the therapist to structure an environment in which the client feels comfortable enough to engage in self-exploration and discovery. Over time, the client seeks to understand and accept themselves.
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