Evaluate The Idea That The Person Centred Theory

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Word count 2417 Evaluate the claim that Person-Centred Therapy offers the therapist all that he/ she will need to treat clients. To start to evaluate this claim I will first need to look at the key areas of the theory. The Person Centred Theory was developed in the 40’s by American psychologist Carl Rogers. The person centred theory is based on three core conditions which I will explain later. I will be taking a look at some of the criticisms of the theory as well as the good points of Rogers’s theory, and although there are some critics of the theory there is no doubt that Rogers’s approach to counselling is an in-valuable part in the history of the humanistic thinking. Born in the US in 1902 Rogers developed his theory from his experience while working as a clinical psychologist with children, and in the early days it was known as client centred therapy. Person centred therapy is a non-directive therapy which allows the client to be in control of the content of the session, this is known as client autonomy. During the therapy sessions the counsellor does not offer advice in any form and must be completely non-judgemental towards their client in every way. It is thought that the person centred theory allows for the client to look deeper in to themselves and that client autonomy will bring about change and healing without giving the direction or advice that other theories do. The person centred theory has been used successfully by Carl Rogers on clients with schizophrenia and by others treating problems such as alcoholism, depression and some personality disorders. Person centred therapy can also be useful when dealing with modern day disorders such as Bulimea, Anorexia, Stress and Substance Abuse. It is by utilising the person centred approach and more importantly offering the therapies core conditions that a counsellor can successfully treat any of these
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