Sometimes, people seek therapy without knowing exactly what they need to change. They may simply want a place where they can talk openly, understand their feelings, and make sense of experiences that have been difficult to process. Person centered therapy offers this kind of space by placing the client’s experiences, feelings, and personal goals at the heart of the therapeutic process.
Developed by psychologist Carl Rogers, this form of therapy is based on empathy, acceptance, and a genuine relationship between the therapist and client.
Untangle includes person-centered therapy among its psychological support options, with sessions designed to give people room to explore their experiences at their own pace.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Person-centered therapy is based on the experiences of the clients and not by offering direct advice and solutions.
- The technique was created by Carl Rogers based on concepts of empathy, unconditional acceptance and congruence.
- The therapist provides a safe environment for the clients to share their thoughts and feelings.
- Some problems that could be addressed include self-esteem issues, emotional problems, relationship issues, and anxiety disorders.
- This type of therapy could be best suited for clients who like to have control over their therapy process.
What Is Person-Centered Therapy?
Person-centered therapy can be described as psychotherapy that concentrates on the client’s internal world and includes feelings, needs, and goals. This approach was developed by Carl Rogers in the 1940s and is known as an essential component of humanistic therapy.
The therapist does not impose anything and instruct the client. Rather, the therapist listens attentively, responds empathically, and creates a safe environment where a client is allowed to share his or her experience without any kind of criticism or judgement.
A client is perceived as a person who has valuable insight into their life. The therapist gives a supportive role and facilitates the discussion on issues that the client finds relevant.
What Are the Core Principles of Person-Centered Therapy?
Carl Rogers identified three key conditions that support this form of therapy.
Empathy
The therapist tries to understand the client’s experience from their perspective. It involves paying attention to what they say and understanding the emotions that come out from what they are saying.
Unconditional Positive Regard
In this, the counselor accepts the client unconditionally and without any kind of judgment regarding their thoughts, emotions, or experiences. It might make it easier for both to talk about certain topics which are considered difficult.
Genuineness
In this, the therapist is genuine and truthful in his treatment sessions. Genuineness will help create an environment for discussion.
These three elements constitute the core of this model.
How Does Person-Centered Therapy Work?
The process may vary from one individual to another; there is no standard approach that all sessions must follow.
Some examples of the content of a therapy session include:
- Discussion about a recent event or occurrence
- Working through negative emotions
- Examining relationships or experiences
- Analyzing recurring emotions or thoughts
- Exploring the person’s needs and desires
The therapist listens and reflects upon what the client says. The reflection can assist the client in recognizing certain feelings or patterns that might have been hard to recognize otherwise.
There is also flexibility for the client to take the direction of the session. This is very helpful for individuals who require time to analyze their experiences without getting instant solutions.
What Happens During a Person-Centered Therapy Session?
A person-centered session can start off with any aspect which the client finds important at that particular moment. The therapy might not involve any specific list of topics which should be discussed in the session.
The therapist may ask questions to get insight into the experience of the client; however, the discussion will generally allow the client to decide upon what they would like to discuss.
Through this approach, a person can be helped in becoming able to:
- Identify and express their emotions effectively
- Understand their own needs and values
- Identify patterns in their thinking and behavior
- Gain awareness of themselves
- Explore options which seem appropriate for them
It should be noted here that the person-centered therapy does not imply that the therapist does nothing other than just listen to the client during the session.
What Does Person-Centered Therapy Help with?
Individuals may turn to this kind of therapy for various reasons related to their emotional well-being and personal lives. It can help when an individual wishes to gain more insight into themselves or deal with issues which make their lives harder.
Some possible topics that may come up include:
- Anxiety and emotional issues
- Low self-esteem
- Problems with relationships
- Challenging emotions
- Transitions and other personal issues
- Self-discovery and personal development
It all depends on what the client wishes to investigate. One can start with a particular problem and learn about other feelings along the way through therapy sessions.
What Makes Person-Centered Therapy Different?
The biggest difference is the role given to the client. Some therapies have a lot of structure and involve certain exercises, assignments, or techniques to solve a certain problem.
Person-centered therapy gives the client much more room to decide what to talk about. The role of the therapist here is to offer the client a supporting environment in which he can explore his own experiences.
| Person-centered therapy | More structured therapy |
| Client helps guide the conversation | Therapist may set a clearer session structure |
| Focuses strongly on personal experience | May focus on specific symptoms or behaviors |
| Therapist uses empathy and reflection | Therapist may teach specific skills |
| Self-understanding is an important part of the process | Goals may center on specific behavioral or emotional changes |
Various styles can be effective on various individuals. The therapist can also employ aspects from other forms of therapies when necessary.
Is Person-Centered Therapy Right for You?
If you would like to have therapy sessions that give you freedom to discuss your thoughts, then this type of style might be worth trying out.
If you are someone who:
- Is interested in reflecting on feelings in your own pace
- Enjoys unstructured therapy
- Would like to build self-awareness
- Is dealing with self-esteem or relationship issues
- Needs help with decision-making
Person-centered counseling might just be helpful for individuals who feel the need to be listened to and participate in their treatment process.
Professional therapists could assist you in figuring out whether this type of therapy is appropriate for you. If you have psychological problems that may need other types of clinical intervention, then consulting a mental health professional could help.
Person-Centered Therapy vs. Personal Counseling
Personal counseling is a broad term that can describe one-on-one support for emotional, personal, or life concerns. Person-centered therapy, on the other hand, refers to a specific therapeutic model based on Carl Rogers’ principles.
The two can overlap in everyday conversation, but they are not necessarily the same thing. Knowing the type of therapy being offered can help you understand what to expect from your sessions.
Ready to Explore a Therapy Style Centered on You?
Understanding person centered therapy can help you decide whether this style of support matches what you are looking for. Its focus on empathy, acceptance, self-understanding, and personal choice can give people room to explore their experiences without feeling rushed toward an answer.
If you want to talk through your emotions, relationships, or personal concerns in a supportive setting, speaking with a qualified therapist can help you explore the options available to you. Untangle offers different forms of psychological support, including person-centered therapy, based on the concerns and goals of the person seeking help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does person-centered therapy mean in simple terms?
It is a type of therapy where the client is allowed to explore their thoughts, feelings and experiences and the therapist offers empathy, acceptance and real support.
What takes place in a person-centered therapy session?
The client can talk about what feels important to them. The therapist listens, mirrors, asks appropriate questions and helps the person to explore their experience at a deeper level.
Who Benefits from Person-Centered Therapy?
It may be beneficial for those experiencing emotional issues, low self-esteem, relationship problems, life transitions, or those desiring a better understanding of themselves and personal development.
Is person-centered therapy same as cognitive behavioral therapy?
No. CBT is very focused on the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviors and often employs structured techniques. Person-centered therapy emphasizes the client’s experience and the therapeutic relationship more than the therapist.
Is person centered therapy suitable for everyone?
No single therapy is suitable for every person or concern. A qualified mental health professional can help determine whether person-centered therapy is appropriate based on a person’s needs and circumstances.