Client-Centered Therapy in Los Angeles, California

Life in Los Angeles is fast-paced and exciting, but it is easy to become lost and lonely in the crowd to the point where you feel as if nobody is truly listening to you. You deserve to be seen, heard, and accepted as you are - for who you are. This is what client-centered therapy is all about.

Client-centered therapy is a unique, humanistic psychotherapy that is based on the understanding that everybody has an inclination toward “actualization” - meaning, the tendency and ability to use your own motivation and strengths to fulfill your potential. The goal of this person-centered approach is to build on your ability to find your own path to healing, with the right amount of support, rather than directives, from your therapist.

If this kind of non-directive therapeutic format resonates with you, then let us take a closer look at how client-centered therapy works and how you can access it in Los Angeles.

Client-centered therapy is a type of non-directive therapy where the client leads the therapy, as the therapist provides a safe, non-judgmental environment to freely explore their experiences, feelings, and sense of self. It was first introduced by Carl Rogers in the early 1940s, and is also known as person-centered therapy or Rogerian therapy.

While the term “client-centered” might seem like the standard now as therapies increasingly aim for an active, intentional healing experience, at the time, it was a novel idea. It signaled the third force of psychology, known as humanistic psychology, where the focus increasingly became the client - as in you.

Linda Whiteside, the Clinical Supervisor at NuView, says, “Rogers developed client-centered therapy as a reaction to the directive approach of psychoanalysis and psychodynamics. When the therapist functions as the facilitator in therapy, they help the client to discover their own potential for solving their problems.”

Client-centered therapy is based on three basic concepts:

• I. CONGRUENCE - In reference to the person-centered therapy, congruence refers to congruence with the client’s thoughts and feelings. The therapist must be genuine in how they act toward the client in accordance with their thoughts and feelings, so that the client feels safe to open up and explore their problems.

• II. UNCONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD - The therapist needs to show unconditional positive regard for the client by always being accepting of their thoughts, feelings, and who they are.

  While unconditional positive regard sounds like a theoretical concept, the therapist may show this toward their client by actively listening to them, and maintaining eye contact and positive body language.

  Unconditional positive regard plays a huge role in creating a safe environment in which the client can open up and explore their struggles - away from the fear of being judged or otherwise.

• III. EMPATHY - The crux of client-centered therapy is empathy. By acting as a mirror to the client’s thoughts and feelings, the therapist can clearly indicate to the client that they are seen, heard, and understood.

  The goal of empathy is to build a therapeutic alliance between the client and the therapist so that they can look into their own inner thoughts and feelings and gain a perspective that they did not have before.

  Linda Whiteside explains, “The three key concepts of congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathy are meant to be the backdrop of a setting, where the client can feel safe enough to be vulnerable - allowing an insight into the deeper thoughts and struggles they have buried within, so that they can begin healing.”

Client-centered therapy is at its most effective when the client is looking for a non-directive approach, where they lead the direction of the therapy while the therapist acts like a facilitator or a guide.

Within the context of the therapy, Rogers mentions that the following six conditions need to be present to effect a change:

• Two persons (the client and the therapist) are in a psychological alliance.
• The client experiences incongruence, a discrepancy between one’s perception and the experience of reality. It can translate in real-time as vulnerability or anxiety.
• The therapist demonstrates unconditional positive regard toward the client.
• The therapist demonstrates an empathetic understanding of the client’s internal frame of reference.
• The therapist communicates both an empathetic understanding and unconditional positive regard to the client.

In fact, studies have demonstrated that Rogerian therapy can be effective with mental health conditions, such as:

• Anxiety-related conditions
• Depressive disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD
• Dementia

Linda Whiteside says, “Person-centered therapy may not be for all, but if Rogers’ six conditions for change meet your expectations from therapy and healing, then this therapeutic approach might be the right fit for you. At our Los Angeles treatment center, we find that this therapeutic approach is demonstrably effective in treating mild, moderate, and even severe mental health symptoms.”

Client-centered therapy focuses on the whole person, and not a list of problems or symptoms. In doing so, the goal is to instill a self-directed approach to healing and recovery. Broadly speaking, this is what Rogerian therapy aims to do:

• Create trust in the self - the ability to be in control and solve one’s problems.
• Become open to exploring one’s perceptions and experiences of different events and circumstances.
• Learn to be in the here and now - the present, as the therapy does not dwell too much on the past lest we get stuck in a negative cycle.
• Willingness to move toward personal growth.

Basically, Rogers focuses on the concepts of self-discovery, reflection, and autonomy toward physical and mental well-being.

Linda Whiteside adds, “Many of our clients who seek client-centered therapy in Los Angeles tend to feel at home with this therapeutic approach, as it fits well with the LA’s fast-paced lifestyle, which emphasizes individuality and independence.”

Client-centered therapy is an evidence-backed method, but the self-directed therapy may not be for all because of the following limitations:

• Non-Directiveness of the Therapy: What makes person-centered therapy distinctive may become its limitation sometimes. Clients can feel lost or overwhelmed by the non-directiveness of the therapy, especially when they are looking for explicit directions to solving life’s challenges.
• Time-Consuming: When clients are looking for something quicker, it can be unhelpful. The person-centered approach focuses on self-exploration and self-discovery, which can require more time.
• Overreliance on the Therapeutic Relationship: For the therapy to be successful, it relies heavily on the therapeutic relationship. This may not be effective in the context of weaker therapeutic alliances.
• Ineffectiveness With Severe Conditions: It is not suitable for more severe disorders like bipolar disorders or schizophrenia, where the symptoms can hinder introspection or self-discovery.
• Lack of Cultural Sensitivity: A person-centered approach takes an individualistic focus, which may not be a right fit for clients who come from collectivistic cultures and societies.

If you are seeking client-centered therapy in Los Angeles, then these are some things for you to consider so that you can choose a therapy/therapist who aligns with your philosophy of healing.

An estimated 46.1% in California report struggling with a mental health disorder, which covers cities like Los Angeles. Mental health or psychological conditions can interfere with your life, career, relationships, and take away from the experience of life itself.

Client-centered therapy can fit the needs and goals of LA residents struggling with mental health disorders or everyday stressors, as it lets you slow down, reset, and journey toward healing at your own pace - in your own way.

This person-centered approach can make you stay more active and engaged in your recovery, and it can be used in different settings - individual, group, and family. It can also be an option to explore for those who may not like directive therapies like CBT or psychoanalytic therapy, as it does not have a set structure, homework assignments, or the discomfort that comes with exploring the unconscious.

Person-centered is rooted in the philosophy of change, growth, and becoming open to life and the world in its diversity. A therapist rooted in this belief will also bring the same openness and genuineness to your therapy.

At NuView, we offer client-centered therapy in Los Angeles through trained therapists who tailor the therapeutic experience to your needs and goals, so that you can take this journey toward healing and a healthier future in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

Please call us at (323) 307-7997 to connect with our client-centered therapists today!

1. What is client-centered therapy?

Client-centered therapy is a non-directive therapy, where the client leads the therapy, while the therapist provides a safe, non-judgmental setting in which the client can explore inner thoughts and experiences toward healing and recovery.

2. How does client-centered therapy differ from other types of therapy?

Client-centered therapy takes a non-directive approach, in that your therapist does not interpret your experiences for you or offer explicit directives. Instead, they create a safe environment for you to explore your feelings and arrive at your own insights.

3. How long does client-centered therapy usually take?

The duration of client-centered therapy varies from person to person; typically, some attend it for a few months, while others might continue for even longer.

4. Is client-centered therapy effective for a fast-paced city like Los Angeles?

Yes, client-centered therapy is particularly effective for a fast-paced city like Los Angeles, as it allows clients to slow down, reflect, and reset on the journey toward healing.

5. How can I find a qualified client-centered therapist in Los Angeles?

To find qualified client-centered therapists in Los Angeles, you can ask your primary healthcare provider, family, or friends to refer licensed therapists who practice client-centered therapy. You can also call NuView at (323) 307-7997, and we will match you with client-centered therapists who will tailor the therapeutic experience to your pace, needs, and goals.

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589708/
• https://web.cortland.edu/andersmd/rogers/char-a.html
• https://archive.org/details/clientcenteredth00roge
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589708/
• https://www.nami.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CaliforniaStateFactSheet.pdf