Intro to Counseling Exam: PCT

Definition of PCT

a humanistic or “existential” derived approach

main components of PCT

therapist attitudes of:

• congruence

• unconditional positive regard

• empathic understanding

the relationship is the mechanism of change

therapists establish conditions that allow for self-discovery and personal growth

history of PCT

Carl Rogers grew up in a judgmental Christian family.

first person to record therapy sessions.

influenced by Otto Rank and Elizabeth Davis worked for him.

• 1940s: non-directive counseling

• 1950s: client-centered therapy

• 1960s: person-centered therapy

• 1970-80s: Carl dedicated work to world peace

• contemporary PCT is more active and directive than classical PCT

  • motivational interviewing

“I act in ways designed to meet my needs, as I perceive them”

o.g. behavior is basically the goal-directed attempt of the organism to satisfy its needs as experienced, in the field as perceived

theory of personality

includes four main features

• self theory

• phenomenology

• learning/growth potential

• conditions of worth

self-theory

every person exists with an ever-changing world in which that person is the center

phenomenology

the valuing of experience subjectively

learning/growth potential

movement toward actualization; “formative tendency”

conditions of worth

standards people believe they must meet to be acceptable and worthy

theory of psychopathology

the failure to learn from experiences

• a safe therapeutic environment will help clients be open to experiences/learning

• happens when people take on others conditions of worth rather than modifying self-concept based on experiences

theory of psychotherapy

psychopathology comes from invalidation of the self and so psychotherapy will facilitate psychological health and acceptance

includes three relational factors to facilitate this environment:

• congruence

• unconditional positive regard

• empathic understanding

six conditions for effective psychotherapy

1) two persons in psychological contact

2) client in incongruence/ vulnerable / anxious

3) therapist is integrated / congruent in the relationship

4) therapist has unconditional positive regard

5) therapist has empathic understanding and communicates this to client

6) communication is least minimally acheived

congruence

authenticity / genuineness

therapists should acknowledge/express positive and negative emotions

unconditional positive regard

clients are valued/ respected as separate individuals whose thoughts, feelings, beliefs and being are accepted unconditionally — this leads clients towards self-acceptance

empathic understanding

vital for therapy and forming a bond b/c it dissolves fear in the client

three kinds of empathy

1) subjective: identifying with clients in their subjective experiences

2) interpersonal: two way communication

3) objective empathy: uses theoretical knowledge to better understand clients

the magic of PCT

• takes time vs. being a quick fix

• requires trusting silence and clients

• clients will know what’s wrong - therapists provide environment to find that

a way of being with clients

two types:

• classical: 6 core conditions are necessary and sufficient; non-directive behaviors are essential

• contemporary: believes in principles, but also active and blend with other approaches

assessment issues and procedures

classical: does not use diagnosis b/c possibly detrimental

contemporary: sometimes use assessment procedures

therapist’s opening statement

convey to clients that they can lead; therapists listen without judgment

experiencing and expressing congruence

limit self-exposure

experiencing and expressing unconditional positive regard

• always at least to try to feel it

• direct statements can backfire

• communicate indirectly by arriving on time, mentally present, allow clients to talk freely, and show interest

• compassion and empathy

experiencing and expressing empathic understanding

• can’t directly know another’s feelings but try best to do so by:

  • entering client’s world

  • being sensitive

  • temporarily living in their life

  • sensing deep meanings but not uncovering

entering becoming at home in client’s private perceptual world

• requires prep and intentionality to establish safety and trust

• use reflections of feeling, empathic exploration, walking within, and clarification

being sensitive from moment to moment with client’s changing meanings and emotions

• requires attention to change

• don’t be confrontational

• just keep listening

temporarily living and moving delicately in client’s life

• dangerous to dive too deeply

• one foot in client’s world/ one not

• “I-thou” relationship

• this is impossible to maintain so not permanent

sensing deep meanings, but not uncovering feelings that are too far out of awareness

• working on edge of client’s consciousness

• consistent with psychoanalytic practices

• follow client’s lead

evidence based status of PCT

• empirically based b/c recorded sessions

• openly reported findings

• small but positive results

• the UK likes PCT more but not much differences in therapies

• other therapies are more effective, but harder to measure PCT

• people lack understanding of PCT

• empathy is most important

cultural sensitivity in PCT

insensitive:

• individualistic vs collectivist

• focus on emotions and expressions

• valuing of expert advice

• too indirect for some cultures

sensitive:

• “eastern flavor”

• Roger’s wouldn’t impose on someone uncomfortable with it