Scenario:
You have trained to be an eclectic counsellor, which means you have an understanding of many
different models and approaches to help you choose the right way of interacting with your clients to
meet their own specific needs. Client A has presented a difficult history of interactions with his
parents which resulted in him leaving home in his late teens. He has had little contact with them since
then and has gradually become more dependent on the use of alcohol to help him cope with his
feelings of loneliness, worthlessness, depression and increasing isolation from his other family
members and friends.
Describe the key elements of person-centred theory considering what the main aims of the
therapy are, as described by Dr Carl Rogers (1986), and the skills you would use when working with
client A.
Dr Carl Rogers founded the Person-Centred Theory in 1986 and he be believed that self-
understanding can be found within ourselves and Therapy could be carried out in a simpler, warmer
and more optimistic manner, as opposed to Freud's Psychodynamic Theory. The theory is termed
"Person Centred" by Rogers as the approach focuses on a person's subjective view of the world and it
is Rogers who began referring to the person in Therapy, as a 'Client' as opposed posed to Freud's
earlier, more clinical term of 'Patient'.
Dr Carl Rogers defined the Person-Centred Theory as a non-directive approach, where Clients can
speak freely and openly with the Therapist; Rogers believed in the potential of others and said that
we all have the ability to make the correct decisions for ourselves, regardless of the thought, beliefs
and ideals of the Therapist. Rogers believed that the Therapeutic relationship and qualities of the
Therapist were key variants, not what the Therapist says or does; he believed insight arose from a
person's feeling, as opposed to Freud's belief that insight comes from unconscious thoughts.
In Rogerian Psychotherapy there is very little to no techniques involved, instead Dr Carl Rogers said
that there are key elements, or 'Core Conditions' which must be met, these Core Conditions are:
1.The Therapist provides the Client with Unconditional Positive Regard: Unconditional Positive
Regard, or non-possessive warmth, refers to the Therapist's deep and genuine care for the Client. As
a Counsellor/Therapist, we may not agree or approve of some of a Client's actions, but must approve
of the Client as a whole.
When interacting with a Client, Rogers believed it is important to always maintain a positive attitude
towards the Client throughout all the interactions; even when we don't necessarily approve of a
Client's behaviours, we must sustain an affirmative approach to the Client.
2. The Therapist is Congruent with the Client: Congruence, or Genuineness, is the act of remaining
completely authentic to yourself, your values and your beliefs. According to Dr Carl Rogers, it is the
most important attribute in therapy as it gives the Client an insight in to your own personality and in
turn the Client can experience you as you truly are; this then aids the development and ultimately
the success of the therapeutic relationship.
When interacting with a Client is is vital to remain completely authentic as the Client would clearly
be able to sense when the Therapist was incongruent, which would negatively impact the
relationship. If, for example, the Client makes a remark which is discriminatory, racist, homophobic,
You have trained to be an eclectic counsellor, which means you have an understanding of many
different models and approaches to help you choose the right way of interacting with your clients to
meet their own specific needs. Client A has presented a difficult history of interactions with his
parents which resulted in him leaving home in his late teens. He has had little contact with them since
then and has gradually become more dependent on the use of alcohol to help him cope with his
feelings of loneliness, worthlessness, depression and increasing isolation from his other family
members and friends.
Describe the key elements of person-centred theory considering what the main aims of the
therapy are, as described by Dr Carl Rogers (1986), and the skills you would use when working with
client A.
Dr Carl Rogers founded the Person-Centred Theory in 1986 and he be believed that self-
understanding can be found within ourselves and Therapy could be carried out in a simpler, warmer
and more optimistic manner, as opposed to Freud's Psychodynamic Theory. The theory is termed
"Person Centred" by Rogers as the approach focuses on a person's subjective view of the world and it
is Rogers who began referring to the person in Therapy, as a 'Client' as opposed posed to Freud's
earlier, more clinical term of 'Patient'.
Dr Carl Rogers defined the Person-Centred Theory as a non-directive approach, where Clients can
speak freely and openly with the Therapist; Rogers believed in the potential of others and said that
we all have the ability to make the correct decisions for ourselves, regardless of the thought, beliefs
and ideals of the Therapist. Rogers believed that the Therapeutic relationship and qualities of the
Therapist were key variants, not what the Therapist says or does; he believed insight arose from a
person's feeling, as opposed to Freud's belief that insight comes from unconscious thoughts.
In Rogerian Psychotherapy there is very little to no techniques involved, instead Dr Carl Rogers said
that there are key elements, or 'Core Conditions' which must be met, these Core Conditions are:
1.The Therapist provides the Client with Unconditional Positive Regard: Unconditional Positive
Regard, or non-possessive warmth, refers to the Therapist's deep and genuine care for the Client. As
a Counsellor/Therapist, we may not agree or approve of some of a Client's actions, but must approve
of the Client as a whole.
When interacting with a Client, Rogers believed it is important to always maintain a positive attitude
towards the Client throughout all the interactions; even when we don't necessarily approve of a
Client's behaviours, we must sustain an affirmative approach to the Client.
2. The Therapist is Congruent with the Client: Congruence, or Genuineness, is the act of remaining
completely authentic to yourself, your values and your beliefs. According to Dr Carl Rogers, it is the
most important attribute in therapy as it gives the Client an insight in to your own personality and in
turn the Client can experience you as you truly are; this then aids the development and ultimately
the success of the therapeutic relationship.
When interacting with a Client is is vital to remain completely authentic as the Client would clearly
be able to sense when the Therapist was incongruent, which would negatively impact the
relationship. If, for example, the Client makes a remark which is discriminatory, racist, homophobic,
