Counseling Theories Paper
RUNNING HEAD: PERSON-CENTERED AND EXISTENTIAL THERAPY
Comparing and Contrasting Person-Centered and Existential Therapy
Taji L. Mitchiner
North Carolina Central University
Theories and Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy
Spring 2011
Introduction This research paper will examine the similarities and differences between Person-Centered therapy and Existential therapy. Person Centered therapy and Existential therapy are both non-directive from the humanistic approach. Both of these approaches allow clients to be authors of their own life, and express their problems freely. It is understood that both approaches are interested in allowing clients to explore and solve their own problems. The core assumptions of person-centered therapy is to assist clients with is to provide respect to human beings congruence, promote growth, and provide empathetic and active listening, and unconditional positive regard. Alternatively, Existential therapy’s core assumptions are to define self-awareness, freedom and responsibility, striving for identity and relationship with others, and the search for meaning of life. For instance, the belief that human nature will assist clients with understanding themselves through life struggles.
The goals of person-centered therapy is to assist clients with achieving a greater degree of independence and integration. The goal of existential therapy is similar to the goal of person centered therapy. Existentialism’s goal is to increase self-awareness, authentic living, taking responsibility, encouraged to find meaning and truth, and coping with anxiety. Overall, these two approaches are viewed more as an attitude, as well as a creative way to assist clients with self-expression. The Person-centered and Existential approach both strive to ensure that the therapeutic relationship with clients are authentic, comfortable and useful to the client. Person-centered therapy and Existential therapy have both been found to assist
Comparing and Contrasting Person-Centered and Existential Therapy
Taji L. Mitchiner
North Carolina Central University
Theories and Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy
Spring 2011
Introduction This research paper will examine the similarities and differences between Person-Centered therapy and Existential therapy. Person Centered therapy and Existential therapy are both non-directive from the humanistic approach. Both of these approaches allow clients to be authors of their own life, and express their problems freely. It is understood that both approaches are interested in allowing clients to explore and solve their own problems. The core assumptions of person-centered therapy is to assist clients with is to provide respect to human beings congruence, promote growth, and provide empathetic and active listening, and unconditional positive regard. Alternatively, Existential therapy’s core assumptions are to define self-awareness, freedom and responsibility, striving for identity and relationship with others, and the search for meaning of life. For instance, the belief that human nature will assist clients with understanding themselves through life struggles.
The goals of person-centered therapy is to assist clients with achieving a greater degree of independence and integration. The goal of existential therapy is similar to the goal of person centered therapy. Existentialism’s goal is to increase self-awareness, authentic living, taking responsibility, encouraged to find meaning and truth, and coping with anxiety. Overall, these two approaches are viewed more as an attitude, as well as a creative way to assist clients with self-expression. The Person-centered and Existential approach both strive to ensure that the therapeutic relationship with clients are authentic, comfortable and useful to the client. Person-centered therapy and Existential therapy have both been found to assist
References: Kim, S. (2010). A story of a healing relationship: The person-centered approach in expressive arts therapy. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health. 5, 93-98. Spillers, C. S. (2007). An existential framework for understanding the counseling needs of clients. American Journal of speech-language pathology, 16, 191-197. Moon, B. L. (2007). Dialoguing with dreams in existential art therapy. Art therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 24 (3), 128-133.