Humanistic and Client-Centered Therapies
Modified: 2023-10-31
Having clients (not patients, note the difference) achieve insight
into their problems is the goal of humanistic and client-centered
therapy. Humanistic and client-centered therapists reject the medical
model and it hierarchical assumptions. In its place, they substitute
a model where therapists and clients are equal. Further, therapists
see themselves as facilitators of the clients' "cure." More
importantly, humanistic and client-centered therapists deny the
working of hidden forces and, instead, concentrate on the here and
now of real life, emphasizing free will and self-knowledge.
Carl Roger's client-centered therapy emphasized the importance of
clients' self-understanding. He saw his role as one of simply
understanding the client and reflecting the client's thoughts and
speech. He did not fear becoming involved and open with clients.
Contrast that approach to the psychoanalytic therapist's attitude of
aloofness and detachment. Rogers promoted accepting patients as they
were, providing them with "unconditional positive regard," and
empathy. Without those, he believed, therapeutic progress was
impossible.
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