Essential Characteristics of Client-Centered Therapy Therapists

Within the world of psychology and treatment there are different theoretical backgrounds that shape the course of therapy and the way in which client or patient and therapist interact. One form of therapy is referred to as "Client-Centered Therapy," which is derived from principles of the Humanistic theory. Carl Rogers, hard-hitter of the Humanistic theory, formulated this form of therapy which places the client and the therapist on equal ground. Unlike other forms of therapy, most specifically psychoanalysis, the therapist is not meant to interpret for the client, nor are they meant to give advice. Instead, the therapist is there as a means of providing "clarification of the feelings associated with the client's statements" (Trull, 2005). Thus, it becomes the client's responsibility to take charge of their own therapy by discovering their own direction for change and incongruence in their behavior that need to be sorted out. By the end of therapy, the client should be comfortable with themselves, understand and have new feelings, and experience little to none of the former incongruence and future incongruence.

According to Carl Rogers, there are three characteristics that precipitate positive change in a client during psychotherapy. These three are: empathetic yet accurate understanding, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness (also sometimes called congruence).

The first of these, empathetic and accurate understating accomplishes three goals during the therapy process. First, it serves to show the client that the therapist is listening, they understand what the client is going through, and that the therapist sympathizes with them and the problem they are experiencing. Secondly, it allows for the therapist to put themselves into the client's shoes and see things from the point of view of the client. This aids in greater understanding as well as better insight as to how to proceed with therapy. Lastly, it fosters a very comfortable and supporting environment for the client, which is meant to foster more open and honest communication between the therapist and client.

Unconditional positive regard is the act of placing the client in a positive light irregardless of the circumstances surrounding them. Again, this is meant to foster a comfortable, understanding therapeutic environment. The client needs to know that the therapist is not putting stipulations of acceptance, but is accepted no matter what. This is viewed by the therapist as basic respect as a human being and is essential in any Client-Centered Therapy situation as it is a basic part of the Humanistic theory.

Genuineness, or congruence is the act of the therapist expressing the feelings or attitudes that a client provokes in them. This is different from psychoanalysis in which the therapist is meant to remain straight faced and not react in any emotional manner to the content being discussed. The point of genuineness is that it places a real face on the person providing therapy, which solidifies the equality of both therapist and client. Additionally, it fosters the client's personal growth and worth since they feel a real person is interested in their problems and helping them through them. While this genuineness may seem to contradict the aforementioned traits of the Client-Centered psychologist, it really serves the same purpose. The feelings expressed by the therapist are not meant as a means of judgment or to shun the client for feelings or ideas expressed, but merely to show the human side of therapy on the part of the therapist.

It can be said that Client-Centered therapy is built around attitude. It is the psychologists attitude which shapes therapy, and not any specific technique. This is one of the major differences between Client-Centered therapy and other forms of therapy. Basically, the Client-Centered therapist seeks to release the potential within the client, and not to solve problems for them. This requires the supportive environment fostered by the therapist's empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness.

Trull, T. (2005). Clinical Psychology, 7^th Edition. Belmont, CA. Thomson Wadsworth.