Existential & Client-Centered (Humanistic) Therapies – Flashcards
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humanism
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- people have an inclination to become self-actualized & grow - inner drive to focus on human condition
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humanistic therapies
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- existential theories - person/client-cenered views
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humanistic theories
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a philosophy or world view that centers on human interests & human value
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critics of humanism
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overemphasizes self > placing being human too high on a pedestal (in contrast to) the actual place humans should have in life
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2 more theories considered *phenomenological*
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existential & client-centered theories are phenomenological in the sense that they - - *try & get people to focus on the here & now > get patients into the present*
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existentialism is thought useful for persons in -
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- developmental crises - other major transitions
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what theory is *more a philosophical approach than a particular school of counseling therapy, or theory*?
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existentialism
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how do people deal with things today, the present in their lives? (not whats happened before)
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existentialism says the answer = - IS getting in touch with your *freedom to choose* >>> not necessarily following the herd
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angst
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something like distress or anxiety < caused by the search for meaning * a part of being human
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existential therapies stress what 2 concepts
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1.) *helping clients experience their own existence in a meaningful way* >>> they are assumed to be searching for meaning in their lives 2.) all people must ultimately deal with these questions/*sources of angst* - ex: stress, dread or anxiety part of the human experience
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6 basic assumptions of existential therapies
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humans - - have a capacity for *self-awareness* - experience tension between *freedom & responsibility* - create an *identity & establish meaningful relationships* - search for *meaning* - accept *anxiety* as a condition of living >>> we need to accept anxiety > if not, you won't have an effective life - are aware of *death*
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the 6 assumptions of existential therapies are said to be -
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- exclusive to humans - very diverse - no single or fixed view of human nature - very few prescribed techniques instead > - heavily relationship based
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how are existential therapies diverse?
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their views of human nature vary from pessimistic (life is meaningless, empty) >>> to neutral, to positive, to hopeful & optimistic
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explain existentialism's fixed view of human nature
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people are seen as constantly changing > *becoming whomever & whatever they might choose*
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how are existential therapies relationship based?
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focused on empathetic understanding of the client's world - how they're seeking to find meaning
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goals of existential psychotherapy
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- help clients to accept their freedom & responsibility to act - assist people in coming to terms with crises in their lives - encourage clients to recognize the ways in which they are NOT living authentic lives - invite clients to become more honest with themselves - broadens clients' awareness of their choices - facilitate the client's search for purpose & meaning of life - assist clients in developing a deep understanding of themselves & the ways they can effectively communicate with others
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the greater our awareness, the greater our -
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possibilities for freedom
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awareness is realizing -
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- we are finite - we choose to act or not - meaning isn't automatic (it must be sought) - we can be lonely, meaningless, empty, guilty, & isolated
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explain identity & "courage to be" in existentialism
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we trust ourselves to search within & find out own sundered > being existentially "alone" = helps us discover our authentic self
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relatedness of existentialism
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our relationships are based on a desire for fulfillment - relationships that spring from our sense of deprivation = clinging, parasitic, & symbiotic
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explain why meaning must be pursued in existentialism
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finding meaning is a by-product of a commitment to creating, loving, & working * life is not meaningful in itself > the individual must create & discover meaning
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therapist & client relationship
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therapy = a journey by therapist & client - person to person relationship = key - relationship demands that therapists be in contact with their own phenomenological world
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core of the therapeutic relationship
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- respect & faith in the clients' potential to cope - sharing with genuine concern & empathy
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limitations to existential therapies
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- individualistic focus may not fit within the world views of the clients - high focus on self-determination >>> may not fully account for real-life limitations of those who are oppressed OR have limited choices - some clients prefer a more directive approach - the approach may prove difficult for clients who have problems conceptualizing due to intellectual capabilities - the approach *does not focus on specific techniques* > *making treatment difficult to standardize* - limited empirical support
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founder of person (client) centered therapy
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Carl Rogers
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what was Roger's hypothesis in facilitating client change?
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maintained that the presence of CERTAIN CORE CONDITIONS were *necessary & sufficient* to facilitate client change
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4 core conditions necessary for client change
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- unconditional positive regard - empathetic understanding - congruence - warmth
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different names of person-ceneted therapy
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- non directive therapy (1940s) - client-centered therapy (1950s-80s) - person-centered therapy (today)
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axioms
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statements or propositions that is regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true
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person-centered theory taken as axioms -
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- humans are trustworthy/positive - capable of making changes/living productively - innately gravitate toward self-actualization - given right growth-fostering conditions = > people *strive* to move forward
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immediate public response to client-centered therapy
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in part, seen as a reaction against directive/psychoanalytic approaches
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client-centered therapy challenged -
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- assumption "counselor knows best" - validity of advice, persuasion, diagnosis, interpretation - belief clients cannot understand & resolve their own problems WITHOUT direct help
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client-centered therapy emphasizes -
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- therapy as a journey shared by 2 fallible people - self-actualization - quality of therapeutic relationship - counselor's creating of "growth-prompting" climate - people are capable of self-directed growth
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what are 3 roots for client-centered therapy?
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- congruence - unconditional positive regard - accurate empathetic understanding
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congruence (in therapy)
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therapist's behaviors match their words = genuineness
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unconditional positive regard (in therapy
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empathetic identification with the client = warmly accepting clients as they are - acceptance/genuine caring about client as a person - therapist need not approve of client behavior
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accurate empathetic understanding (in therapy)
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ability to deeply grasp the client's world > empathy = deep & subjective understanding of the client WITH the client - helper attitudes are more important than knowledge
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role of therapist in client-centered therapy
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- focuses on *quality* of therapeutic relationship - provides supportive environment in which the *client* is the agent of change - serves as a *model*, is *genuine*, authentic = no false front - can *openly express* feelings & attitudes that are present in the relationship with the client - is invested in developing his or her own life experiences > to deepen self-knowledge & move toward self-actualization
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limitations of the person-centered approach
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-cultural considerations - doesn't focus much on techniques = treatment difficult to standardize - beginning therapists > may find it difficult to provide both support & challenges to clients - limits of the therapist as a person may interfere with developing a genuine therapeutic relationship
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cultural considerations & their limitations on the person-centered approach
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- some clients prefer a directive, structured treatment - individuals accustomed to indirect communication may not be comfortable with direct expression of empathy or creativity - individuals from some cultures may disagree with the emphasis on internal locus of control
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steps/components of Rogers' attempt to facilitate significant, positive personality change & the outcome
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*significant positive personality change does not occur EXCEPT in a relationship* 1.) 2 persons are in psychological contace 2.) client is experiencing incongruence 3.) therapist IS congruent or integrated in the relationship 4.) therapist experiences unconditional positive regard for client 5.) therapist experiences empathy for client's internal frame of reference 6.) *communication is, to a minimal degree, achieved*
