Psych 103 - Session 4 Person-Centred Counselling (Counselling Foundations)

Person-centred counselling is a humanistic approach that emerged as a third force in psychology, distinguishing itself from behaviourist and psychoanalytic approaches.
Developed significantly by Carl Rogers in the mid-20th century, this theory emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship and the client’s ability to self-direct their growth and healing.

Emergence Timeline:
- 1890-2010 span of counselling theories: includes psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and post-Freudian developments.
- Person-centred counselling evolved post-1940s, drawing upon earlier humanistic themes.

Humanistic Psychology:
- Integrates ideas from existentialism (Soren Kierkegaard), phenomenology (Edmund Husserl), and humanistic principles of self-actualization (Maslow).
- Incorporation of ideas from Eastern religions, particularly Buddhism, to understand personal growth.

Humanistic Themes:
- Non-assumptive questioning; emphasizes the uniqueness of each individual’s experience.
- Each person has a different perception of reality and a capacity for self-change and healing.
- Personal experiences should be viewed through an individual's internal frame of reference.
Growth and Change:
- Clients possess the intrinsic ability to understand themselves and pursue change within a supportive environment.

1940s: Initial development focused on non-directive approach.
Late 1940s: Emphasis on the client’s process of change and incorporation of the concept of necessary and sufficient conditions for change.
1957: Further consolidation of ideas pertaining to personality change (Rogers).

Psychological contact between therapist and client.
The client experiences incongruence (vulnerability or anxiety).
The therapist is congruent (genuine) in the therapeutic relationship.
Therapist provides unconditional positive regard for the client.
The therapist conveys an empathetic understanding of the client's internal frame of reference.
The communication of empathic understanding and unconditional positive regard must be minimally achieved by the therapist.

Client-Centred Focus:
- The counsellor’s primary role is to facilitate the client's decision-making rather than dictating solutions.
- Distrust of authority is central, fostering an environment where the client can unravel their personal theories about their experiences.

Inherent Abilities:
- Individuals have an innate ability to make decisions that align with their true selves, expanding dietary values over time.
- Children learn through experiences (e.g., parental reactions to their behaviors can lead to feelings of inadequacy or incongruence).

Self-Actualization:
- The fundamental drive to realize one’s full potential across all life aspects, fostering emotionally healthy relationships.
Need for Positive Regard:
- Human beings seek love and approval from others, often leading to the compromise of personal values; when this occurs, incongruence arises and affects one's trust in self.

Self Structure:
- Refers to how one perceives themselves, shaped by experiences and external feedback.
Experience:
- Immediate sensations and emotions should be understood in their raw forms, free from biases.
Congruence:
- A healthy self-structure aligns with experiences, promoting well-being.

Introduced to the Person-Centred Counselling approach, discussed its humanistic foundations.
Reflected on the philosophical principles and assumptions that underpin the theory, including the necessity of the therapeutic conditions for change.
Began an exploration of the personality theory related to Rogers' work.