Person-Centered Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy is a form of therapy that puts the focus on the client as the one who controls the therapeutic process. Clients are empowered to work collaboratively with the therapist as a team. It is based on the premise that every person has the desire and the capacity to reach their full potential.
This approach to therapy practice steers away from the idea that the client is "flawed" or " broken" and need to be fixed. Instead, a person-centered approach attempts to provide you with the tools and resources tht you need to understand yourself and what you need to achieve positive change in you life.
There are three main techniques used in person-centered therapy. Each is designed to assist a person become more aware of their own behaviors in a safe and supportive space.
Genuineness and Congruence
The genuineness and congruence technique involves the therapist being open and honest about their thoughts and feelings.
Clients feel safer and more harmonious when their therapist in genuine and open, which in turn builds a trusting therapeutic relationship.
Unconditional Positive Regard
Unconditional positive regard is total acceptance without judgement. The therapist takes all of their client's feelings and emotions seriously and validates what they are feeling. They also offer reassurance through active listening and positive body language.
Empathetic Understanding
In person-centered therapy, the therapist uses empathetic understanding in an effort to truly know and understand your lived experinece.
The main goal of empathetic understanding is to ensure that the client feels completely understood in everything they say. This provides clients an opportunity to gain insights into themselves and grow in a manner that is beneficial to their own goals.