This is the ability to be you without pretence or façade. This is also called genuineness; it is the most important attribute in counselling according to Rogers, in this the counsellor is keen to allow the client to experience them as they really are, the therapist being authentic. Unconditional Positive Regard: (UPR) this is a non-judgemental, Respecting and accepting the other person as they are, Rogers believed that for people to grow and fulfil their potential it is important that they are valued as themselves. The counsellor has a genuine regard for the client, they may not approve of some of the client’s actions, but the therapist does approve of the client. The therapist needs an attitude of “I’ll accept you as you are.” The therapist must always maintain a positive attitude to the client at all times.
This helps the individual to become aware of their behaviour and it teaches them appropriate ways of managing their own thoughts, without changing the situation itself. It is short term, as it brings faster results and is completed within a specific time period. CBT is problem focused and is structured, there is an agenda for each session, where the client is taught methods how they should behave in order to achieve their own goals. It focuses on the present and derived from experience or observation. CBT is collaborative and it is necessary to have a constructive and trusting relationship between the therapist and client.
As a successful professional counselling relationship develops and progresses, according to Pete Sanders the client and counsellor work through “three different stages”. This could be described as beginnings, middles and endings. In the beginning the counsellor shows acceptance, genuineness and empathy when exploring the issues while also building trust and establishing the relationship. In order to do this the counsellor must respond accurately. Observing and sensing what the speaker is feeling then reflecting and summarising back; in order to clarify understanding; but to also reassure the speaker they have the counsellor’s full attention.
Understandably a counsellor may also experience a sense of personal familiarity, whilst counselling clients, but must remain emotionally detached at all times. Relating to clients, in a positive, open manner, encourages the client to disclose in a comfortable, confidential environment and provides the counsellor with the ideal setting in which to communicate in a supportive way. Using their own life experiences, a counsellor can demonstrate empathy, compassion and understanding without becoming personally involved in the counselling process. Becoming More Self-Aware Self-awareness is something that grows over a period of time and with exploration. Techniques, to access information about oneself, can be learned, and personal experiences can affect personal thoughts and feelings.
He felt that by engaging in dialogue it would help the client work towards their goals. He felt that with dialogue the client would show sign of caring, warmth acceptance and self-responsibility (Simkin, 1981). With this approach the therapist is able to help their clients reach their goals through encouragement and allowing the client to be expressive and to be responsible for their actions. As for Alfred Adler, the Adlerian approach was the first holistic theory of personality, psychopathology, and psychotherapy that was
Person Centered Therapy and the Case of Fritz Patient Centered Therapy (PCT) assumes that the patient is the expert on themselves. That human beings are naturally positive, trustworthy, capable of growth and they are drawn to towards realizing their full potential. In the right setting, we will become our most creative selves. PCT defies tenants of other therapeutic models, such as psychoanalysis, because it does not put the therapist at the helm. It is the client who chooses direction and the therapist shares the journey as more of a facilitator than a navigator.
he essentially believed that all people were trustworthy and good. He felt that one possessed self- direction and the capability to self-heal through solving their own problems. ( Corey, 2016, Shebib, 2017). Rogers viewed the client as the expert to promote self-change and foster growth (Shebib, 2017). Rogers believed in the client’s possess the abilities to make positive changes for themselves and live effective and productive lives and foster a goal-oriented (Coady & Lehmann,
(Rogers, 1961). From this we can infer that trust is key in developing a healthy and successful therapeutic relationship. Trust leads to genuineness and realness in the counselling session where both therapist and client can be themselves and express their feelings and experiences without fear of judgement. If trust is the foundation that the counselling relationship is built on, then the core conditions of PCT will be present,
The practice places great emphasis on the therapeutic relationship between therapist and client allowing them to tell their story in a safe way. The therapist offers a warm, genuine and empathic setting using a non-judgemental and non-directive approach. By fully accepting the client’s story they are left in charge of their own information. Rogers (1957:95)
Characteristics of an Effective Counselor Abstract An effective counselor is likely to possess specific characteristics that would enable their ability to facilitate a strong, firm, solid relationship with their clients. The attitude of a counselor is one of the most vital characteristics. The counselor should maintain a positive attitude both in clinic as well as outside of clinic. Refraining from having a bias attitude on issues that a client may be enduring will allow the counselor to be effective. Communication lines should remain open and reliable to the client at all times in order for the counselor to be effective this can be achieved by being mindful of the client’s emotions.