Person Centred Counselling
“Person-Centred” Counselling
Person-centred counselling is a form of therapy which allows the client to be at the core of their own therapy and make their own goals. For the person-centred approach to be effective a relationship built on trust must be formed between the counsellor and the individual. This essay will explore the theoretical ideas and practice skills of person centred counselling.
Key figure (Founder) and Major Focus
Carl Rogers (1902-1987), an American psychologist was the key figure in developing person-centred counselling. Rogers was born into a strict religious family and he was the fourth born of six children. Although Rogers (1961) recalls his childhood at times to be particularly lonely he claims his family relationships were warm and close. Rogers work began on person-centred counselling after attending a ‘World Student Christian Federation Conference’, here he was exposed to many different philosophies that changed his views not only on religion but also on human behaviour. The 1960’s to 1970’s is when his theories became known as the humanistic movement in psychotherapy (Kirschenbaum, 2009). His development and originating of this movement continues to have effects on the today’s field of psychotherapy. Moreover, in the latter stages of his life he was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for the work he had done in educating policy-makers and leaders to use his techniques of person-centred counselling to bring about world peace (Corey, 2013: 173).
Developing from the concepts of humanistic psychology, person-centred counselling coincides with the humanistic approach and ‘views people as capable and autonomous, with the ability to resolve their difficulties, realise their potential and change their lives in positive ways’ (Seligman, 2006).The original major focus of the person-centred approach was on the client controlling the counselling, this approach would in turn enable the client to develop an understanding of self, self-exploration and
Person-centred counselling is a form of therapy which allows the client to be at the core of their own therapy and make their own goals. For the person-centred approach to be effective a relationship built on trust must be formed between the counsellor and the individual. This essay will explore the theoretical ideas and practice skills of person centred counselling.
Key figure (Founder) and Major Focus
Carl Rogers (1902-1987), an American psychologist was the key figure in developing person-centred counselling. Rogers was born into a strict religious family and he was the fourth born of six children. Although Rogers (1961) recalls his childhood at times to be particularly lonely he claims his family relationships were warm and close. Rogers work began on person-centred counselling after attending a ‘World Student Christian Federation Conference’, here he was exposed to many different philosophies that changed his views not only on religion but also on human behaviour. The 1960’s to 1970’s is when his theories became known as the humanistic movement in psychotherapy (Kirschenbaum, 2009). His development and originating of this movement continues to have effects on the today’s field of psychotherapy. Moreover, in the latter stages of his life he was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for the work he had done in educating policy-makers and leaders to use his techniques of person-centred counselling to bring about world peace (Corey, 2013: 173).
Developing from the concepts of humanistic psychology, person-centred counselling coincides with the humanistic approach and ‘views people as capable and autonomous, with the ability to resolve their difficulties, realise their potential and change their lives in positive ways’ (Seligman, 2006).The original major focus of the person-centred approach was on the client controlling the counselling, this approach would in turn enable the client to develop an understanding of self, self-exploration and
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