Client-Centered Therapy: A Humanistic Approach to Healing

When you think of psychotherapy (or therapy), does an image of you sitting in a therapist’s office and listening to advice come to your mind? This is a common misunderstanding, and it does not exactly capture all that a therapeutic journey is. Therapeutic journeys differ based on the therapeutic approaches. In a humanistic approach, your psychotherapist (or therapist) will facilitate you on the journey to self-discovery and is there for you when you find the answers you are looking for. After all, who is more of an expert on yourself than…you?

The type of therapy we are referring to is known as client-centered therapy or person-centered therapy. It is where you and your therapist are equal, invested partners. Your therapist will facilitate you as you overcome challenges. If you are looking for an effective yet supportive therapy, then this therapy might just be the perfect fit for you.

Client-centered therapy is an evidence-based practice that takes a non-directive, humanistic approach to therapy. The focus is respect, empathy, and your unique story. No lectures, no advice, just a conversation that can lead to lasting positive changes. Moreover, you are seen as an equal partner in this kind of therapy. Meaning, you are an expert on your life experiences, and your therapist will recognize and respect this.

Client-centered therapy was developed in the 1930s by one of the most famous psychologists of all time, Carl Rogers. For this reason, it is also known as the Rogerian therapy. Like everything else in psychology that came up as a response to psychoanalysis, Rogers wanted Rogerian therapy to serve as a contrast to it. He believed that your interpretation of your life is valid. So, he theorized that if you are provided with a safe and respectful environment, you can achieve the positive change you desire.

In being a person-centered approach, there are some key concepts that are central to client-centered therapy:

“Client” vs. “Patient”:

Ever since Rogers came into the picture, in psychological settings, the term “patient” has been replaced with the term “client.” By referring to you as a client instead of a patient, it is acknowledged that you are not sick or looking for a cure. Instead, you are seen as perfectly capable of taking the reins during therapy, and your therapist is only there to enable you.

Genuineness and Congruence:

A rapport between you and your therapist is of utmost importance. Genuineness and congruence define this rapport. Generally speaking, your therapist is honest and transparent - what you see is what you get. This builds trust and makes opening up easier.

Unconditional Positive Regard:

Unconditional positive regard is when your therapist accepts you as who you are, without any judgment. Your therapist will consistently express acceptance, support, and care, regardless of everything else going on.

Empathetic Understanding:

Empathy in therapy ensures you are fully understood. You can open up about your deepest thoughts, feelings, and experiences and heal from here on.

Rogers emphasized the sense of self or self-concept as he developed client-centered therapy. Think of your self-concept as three layers to your identity - how you see yourself, who you truly are, and who you want to become. In more technical terms, it looks something like this

• Perceived Self - How a person sees themselves.
• Real Self - What the person is really like.
• Ideal Self - What the person likes to be.

Your self-concept affects the way you see yourself and the world around you. However, your self-concept is not always aligned with the way you want things to be. For instance, when you begin to think of yourself negatively, it seeps into the way you behave and adversely impacts your self-esteem and confidence.

With person-centered therapy, you can receive the genuine support you need to gain a more positive understanding of yourself, which will then reflect in your thinking and behavior.

Client-centered therapy focuses on the client’s needs, as in your needs. A person-centered therapist will listen to the client and create an environment where they can make their own decisions. There will be no in-depth analysis, advice, or criticism; the therapist will accept and support the client fully. This is what is known as unconditional positive regard we spoke about earlier.

Client-centered therapy requires a person-centered therapist or counselor who understands the client’s point of view and the intricacies of their world. The therapist, here, is not the director but the facilitator of therapy. The therapist does not dwell too much on the client’s past or their negative thinking and behavioral patterns. Instead, the therapist focuses on moving forward. They respect their client’s autonomy and see them as capable of making positive changes in their life.

The client and the therapist are equal partners in person-centered therapy. The therapist approaches the client with empathy and gives them the space they need. As a client, you will be free to make your decisions. The idea is to shift the focus away from the notion that there are external factors beyond your control and allow you to reclaim control over your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By extension, your life and your world as well. The aim is to boost your self-esteem and self-determination.

Whether you are struggling with behavioral or mental health challenges, the client-centered approach can enable you to rediscover your strengths and direction.

Client-centered therapy is utilized in treating a broad spectrum of challenges, such as:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depressive Disorder (depression)
• Bipolar Disorders
• Panic attacks
• Phobias
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Eating Disorders
• Substance Use Disorders
• Dementia

Client-centered therapy is also utilized for concerns like grief, relationship conflicts, stress management, and low self-esteem/low self-worth.

Genuineness, unconditional positive regard, and empathetic understanding define client-centered therapy. In addition to these, a person-centered therapist can use the following techniques as well for lasting positive changes:

• Active Listening: This is when the therapist listens to understand and communicates their understanding by providing feedback.
• Reflective Listening: The therapist is like a mirror to the client's own thoughts and feelings. Reflective questions and statements are what a therapist can use to achieve this; it is crucial to an insightful journey into the client’s mind.
• Open-Ended Questioning: As open-ended questions do not have a simple yes or no answer, they open a doorway to deeper and more honest conversations.
• Positive Tone: A non-judgmental, positive tone keeps any kind of discomfort at bay. It ensures the client feels safe and makes it easy to open up.
• Setting Boundaries: Boundaries need to be set in a therapeutic relationship. From how long a session will last to ruling out certain topics for conversation.

The benefits of client-centered therapy are as follows:

Empowerment:

As it is person-centered, you will be empowered to take control of your life and move toward self-actualization.

Key Personal Insights:

This therapy involves active listening, reflective listening, and open-ended questioning. These will allow you to probe deeper and gain a keen insight into your inner world.

Improved Self-Concept:

This therapy bridges the gap between your real self and ideal self, taking you closer to what you want to be.

Increased Self-Esteem:

With an improved self-concept, you experience an increase in your self-esteem as well. You become more confident as you begin to develop a positive outlook toward life.

Emotional Resilience:

As a strength-based approach, this therapy aims to use your strengths to bring positive changes. This builds emotional resilience.

The effectiveness of psychotherapy, like client-centered therapy, is based on three metrics - symptom severity and reduction, improved functional outcomes, and an increase in the overall quality of life. Person-centered therapy performs well on all three metrics.

It is an evidence-based therapy and has been effective in treating conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

When you begin therapy, you may feel like you are treading on uncharted waters. So, something you will need to understand is that a person-centered approach like client-centered therapy is non-directive. You will play a very active role in your therapy, meaning you will have to open up and share even your deepest, most discomforting thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This may be intrusive, but in the long run, you will find it beneficial as you heal.

While non-directive, a therapist’s role is still central. Genuineness, unconditional positive regard, and empathy play a huge role. It is crucial that there is a respectful and trustful rapport between you and your therapist. In cases where you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, it is okay for you to change your therapist.

Finally, this kind of therapy may not be for everyone. If you prefer a more direct approach from your therapist, then you can benefit more from other therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy.

The first step to starting client-centered therapy is finding a licensed and skilled mental health practitioner who is trained in the therapy. This can be tricky, especially if it is your first time.

At the NuView Treatment Center, we believe in finding the right therapy and therapist for you. When you reach out to us, our team will understand your unique needs and goals to find the right client-centered therapist who is aligned with your journey toward healing and self-actualization.

During the first session, your therapist will seek to understand your background and establish what you can expect from the therapy. The following sessions will see you take an active role as you open up, explore challenges, overcome challenges, and journey toward self-actualization.

We respect your autonomy and privacy. To this end, we follow rigorous ethical and legal standards to ensure you feel safe, secure, and comfortable all the way through this therapeutic journey.

• Rogers, C. (2012). Client centered therapy (new ed). Hachette UK.
• Gibbard, I., & Hanley, T. (2008). A five-year evaluation of the effectiveness of person-centred counselling in routine clinical practice in primary care. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 8(4), 215-222.
• Yao L, Kabir R. Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian Therapy) [Updated 2023 Feb 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from:
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589708/