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Person Centred Approach to Counselling

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AIM: To discuss the Person-centred approach to counselling To Apply counselling skills in triads OBJECTIVES: Recognise the main principles of the Person-centred approach Identify and describe the core conditions Discuss concepts of PCA in relation to practice Demonstrate an awareness of the therapeutic relationship in a counselling skills practice session
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Carl Rogers (1902 -1987)

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Carl Rogers - an American, pioneered the Person-centred approach in the early 50s A different approach to Psychodynamic and Behaviourist models of human development which are more scientifically based Person-centred approach comes under the umbrella of the Humanistic Theories. i.e. concern with the needs, wellbeing, and interests of people and the human capabilities in areas such as creativity, personal growth and choice. Can you name other theorists who developed theories belonging to this strand of theory? Maslow, Berne and Perls

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The Person- Centred approach can be used in any setting

Parent- Child Nurse-Patient Teacher- Student Counsellor-Client

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What do you know about this approach?

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3 Main Areas

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Carl Rogers identified 3 main areas for the person centred approach-

1) Self-actualising tendency 2) Therapeutic relationship 3) Core Conditions

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Person-centred theoretical assumptions

Rogers assumptions were that people were essentially trustworthy, had positive inner qualities, and had the potential for understanding themselves and resolving their own problems. Consequently, he believed that the helper did not need to directly intervene or provide solutions as the other person was capable of doing this themselves.
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Self actualising tendency

People have drives that lead them to engage in activities resulting in personal satisfaction and a contribution to society This tendency is present in all organisms and can be defined as the motivation present in every life form to develop its potentials to the fullest extent. (Seed potato analogy)
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Seed Potato analogy

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Potatoes stored for the winter in a dark cellar would produce small, thin shoots that grew to the distant light of a far away window. In this story Rogers likens man to the potato in that how ever bad the conditions are people will strive to grow and develop.
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Our self actualising tendency can be stunted or warped But this is very much to do with our self-concept Our image/perception of ourselves is based on life experience It is the way we see ourselves reflected in the attitudes expressed by family and friends
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If we experienced positive attitudes we are more positive about who we are. If we have experienced negative attitudes towards us from birth our self concept is negative thereby stunting/warping the self actualising tendency
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Reflection

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How do you describe yourself? (pos/neg) Where has this belief come from? Do you ever tell yourself I cant do/achieve this because.? What belief is it that stops you?

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Therapeutic Relationship
Rogers believes that the TR is fundamental to a client being able to move on and grow. Individuals have resources within themselves for self-understanding and changing self-concepts, attitudes etc.
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He believes given the right conditions Each of us could be enabled to self actualise Rogers believes that the therapeutic/helping relationship contributes more than any other factor to a positive outcome for the person being helped, and that no other intervention was required as this was all that was necessary and sufficient for therapeutic change to occur.

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Core Conditions

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Congruence Unconditional Positive Regard Empathy

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Congruence

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(Genuineness, Realness, Openness) The more the counsellor is himself/herself in the relationship, putting up no professional front/faade, the greater is the likelihood that the client can change and grow The Counsellor recognises their feelings within the therapeutic relationship and shares these with the client There is a transparency- the client can see right through what the counsellor is in the relationship
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Unconditional Positive Regard

Acceptance, warmth, non-judgemental Counsellor experiences a positive accepting attitude toward whatever the client is and is feeling at that moment Accepts wholly and is not affected by any preconceived ideas, plans or decisions they may be tempted to make for the client Non-judgemental
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Empathy

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The counsellor without pre-judgement or assumptions Allows themselves to be open to perceive the world as the client perceives it (walking in their shoes) Conveying this understanding back to the client through sensitive, active listening and accurate reflection of feeling
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Conclusion

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Therefore: With the help of the counsellor in the therapeutic relationship and by using the core conditions. Rogers believes that as we are all trustworthy and have positive inner qualities we therefore have the potential for understanding ourselves and thereby are able to resolve our own problems.
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