Several years ago, when psychoanalytic and behavioural theories were on the rise, Carl Rogers introduced a new approach to psychotherapy. It was in contrast with both the theories that were dominant at that time. Unlike behavioural therapy, the Rogers approach didn’t focus on the actions overthinking and feeling. And unlike psychoanalysis, it was not at all about drives and unconscious wishes. At first, this approach was known as non-directive therapy, but later it became person-centred therapy.

What is Person-Centred Therapy?

Person-centred therapy focuses on understanding the perspective of the client about the surroundings and the world. The principle of this therapy is that the clients know more about themselves than the therapist can possibly know so the information is extracted from the client. The clients can themselves make their decision and know better. The therapist has to provide an environment in which the client is encouraged to share their present feelings and thoughts without the fear of being judged.

This indirect approach can make the clients more aware of the aspects that they have been ignoring. The therapist is advised to respond to the client’s feelings rather than objecting them or judging them. When the therapist doesn’t include his/her judgement, the client becomes open and can discuss anything they wish.

How to find a Person-Centred Therapist

If you are looking to find the perfect Person-Centred Therapist it is crucial to make sure that they have the appropriate qualifications, knowledge and experience. At Expat Therapy 4U we only accept therapists who have full professional proficiency in English and are highly experienced in working with people from culturally diverse backgrounds. The clinicians we approve share our values and commitment to provide high quality therapy to the expatriate community in the private sector across Europe and online worldwide. We strongly believe that therapy changes lives, and being accredited ensures all our therapists are qualified to a high standard. You can find a Person-Centred Therapist who is insured to practice and accredited with a recognised membership body online here.

How does Person-Centred Therapy work?

According to Rogers, the therapist must provide the client with certain facilitating conditions that make the therapy successful and unique. These conditions are:

1. Empathetic Understanding

It means sensitively and deeply tracking the feelings, words, and tone of the clients when they are talking. With all the implications and nuances, the therapist listens to the client without being judgemental understanding each and everything they are saying. Then, the therapist often states those understandings to the client to make sure they have got it right the first time. The clients can then add or subtract anything according to their feelings. Rogers even used to copy the tone of the clients when stating their words back to them.

2. Congruence

It is another condition put forward by Rogers. It means that the therapists are not allowed to deceive the client in any way about their feelings or opinions. The responses must be stated in the first person, rather than objectively such as ‘I feel, or I think’. The therapist who thinks that he/she doesn’t know enough to respond or simply don’t want to respond can say that ‘I don’t know enough’. There must be no superiority or authority in the session in terms of knowledge or profession. The therapist must be presented as very honest and transparent with their views and thoughts.

3. Unconditional Positive Regard

It is another core condition put forward by Rogers where he believes that the client must be welcomed with non-judgemental and unconditional warmth. The core belief is that for people to grow and heal, it is necessary that they are valued as themselves and unique with no strings attached.

This shows the therapist’s deep care for the client and it is necessary for successful therapy. The therapist is free to disapprove of some of the client’s actions, but the therapist must approve the client as a whole. The client must be accepted the way she/he is. The whole purpose is to maintain a healthy relationship between the client and the therapist.

What can Person-Centred Therapy help with?

Any personal issue related to any age range can be dealt with person-centred therapy. This therapy is for the people who like the liberty of doing things their way and taking control over their lives. They do not want to be judged or evaluated and this therapy gives them the perfect environment.

It is a non-directive approach and thus it is best for the people who want to take control of their mental health and explore their opportunities. Other than dealing with the issues of personal life, the person-centred therapy can also help with specific mental issues such as:

• Stress
• Depression
• Mental health concerns
• Grief
• Anxiety

All the issues having an in-depth effect on the self-esteem of an individual can be dealt with very effectively with the help of this therapy. Because this therapy is all about connecting the clients to their inner-self and giving them the liberty to take control.

What can you expect from Person-Centred Therapy?

First of all, the person-centred therapy helps the person to enhance their self-esteem, and the ability to solve their issues. The therapy also helps the client open up to new experiences and be flexible about them.

The therapy offers a secure and relaxing environment for the client to feel comfortable and trust the therapist. When the client feels relaxed, he/she can weigh out the current situation. The understanding of the past and present become crystal clear. Here are some of the things clients learn when they walk out of person-centred therapy:

• They explore the facts about their ideal self and the real self.
• They get free from the feelings of resentment, guilt, and defensiveness.
• They are able to develop healthier relationships.
• They have very well improved self-expression and self-image.
• They are able to accept the changes in a better way than before.
• They are completely self-aware and have a better understanding of their capabilities.
• They are able to solve minor issues in the future.

The person-centred therapy is about making the client the leading person in their lives. It is all about making the client able to understand that he/she is in control and resolve any issues that they might face in their lives.

Find a Person-Centred Therapist through the Expat Therapy 4U platform

Person-centred therapy believes that clients have this natural tendency towards healing, growth, and self-actualisation. Whenever the environment tries to distort this tendency, they feel bad or act self-destructively. This therapy believes that upon providing the right therapeutic environment, their tendency of growing and leading a fulfilled life can be increased. This psychotherapy is not about making the clients do something or feel something, rather it focuses on giving them the mindset of believing that they are in their control and they can move towards independence, maturity, and productivity.

Further Readings on Person-Centred Therapy

https://theinternationalpsychologyclinic.com/services/person-centred-counselling-in-london/