Page 53 - PartA
P. 53
Counselling Skills
Other differences are:
• The psychodynamic approach assumes that people are influenced by
their early experiences over which they have little control, whereas
a person-centred approach gives the client more free will to act.
• The person-centred approach does not use techniques, but relies on
the personal qualities of the therapist to build a non-judgemental and
empathetic relationship.
• Person-centred theory differs from the psychodynamic and behavioural
approaches in suggesting that clients would be better helped if they were
encouraged to focus on their current subjective understanding, rather
than on some unconscious motive or someone else’s interpretation of
the situation.
Key elements of person-centred theory
According to Rogers, the counsellor must meet the following ‘core conditions’ in
order to help a client’s positive therapeutic development:
• Genuineness or congruence
• Unconditional positive regard
• Empathetic understanding
• Non-possessive warmth.
Explore the core conditions now in more detail.
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