Page 51 - Part A

Counselling Skills

The key elements of person-centred theory

Person-centred counselling theory was founded by Carl Rogers who outlines the basis
of the approach as follows:

‘It is that the individual has within himself or herself vast resources for
self-understanding, for altering his or her self-concept, attitudes and
self-directed behaviour – and that these resources can be tapped if only
a definable climate of facilitative psychological attitudes can be provided.’
Carl Rogers (1986)

D Definition: Person-centred counselling theory

‘It is a non-directive approach to being with another; that believes in
the others potential and ability to make the right choices for him or
herself, regardless of the therapist’s own values, beliefs and ideas.’

Source: The British Association for the Person-centred Approach
(BAPCA) www.bapca.org.uk

Q. What is the difference between person-centred and psychodynamic approaches
to counselling?

A. The main difference is that psychodynamic approaches focus on insight arising
from unconscious thoughts, whereas person-centred approaches focus on
insight arising from a person’s feelings.

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 increases the client’s free will.

• 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.

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