For this session of the Diploma in Person-Centered Supervision, we came up with the scenario of a physically self-injuring client and identified at least three possible client ‘selves’ (or ‘personal constructs’ or ‘configurations’)…
Saturday December 4th. Picture the scene: I was travelling by rail from Southampton to the ‘Future of Psychotherapy’ meeting in London – with a background context of recent train disasters. Further – there had been an announcement just a day or two before that one of the trackside signals just outside Southampton Central was in the top ten of signals most often passed at danger
For this session of the Diploma in Person-Centered Supervision, we came up with the scenario of a physically self-injuring client and identified at least three possible client ‘selves’ (or ‘personal constructs’ or ‘configurations’)
I have selected and typed-up a few extracts from a counselling session conducted on Thursday 7th June 2001 in the belief that exploring issues arising from it might have value in demonstrating and illustrating my understanding of elements of client-centered philosophy and beliefs, core conditions, personality theory and therapeutic process…
I have selected and typed-up a few extracts from a counselling session conducted on Thursday 7th June 2001 in the belief that exploring issues arising from it might have value in demonstrating and illustrating my understanding of elements of client-centered philosophy and beliefs, core conditions, personality theory and therapeutic process…
I have selected and typed-up a few extracts from a counselling session conducted on Thursday 7th June 2001 in the belief that exploring issues arising from it might have value in demonstrating and illustrating my understanding of elements of client-centered philosophy and beliefs, core conditions, personality theory and therapeutic process.
I am aware that in ‘putting my practice out into the open’ like this I become open to negative and positive criticism, both of which I have, at long last, learned to welcome. For many years reluctant to ‘stage demonstration sessions’ – in the belief that modelling goes against authentic self-development. I am now offering public scrutiny of my work, my way of being with clients. I now know that the less defensive I can be about my practice – no matter how hard that may be at times – the more I can learn and become the best therapist that I am able to become.
There are certain personal qualities which should be present if the individual is to develop into a good counselor, but there is no reason to believe that these are any more rare than the qualities which would be necessary for a good artist or a first-class aviation pilot. This is definitely true if we are talking of the client-centered type of counselling
We shall be taking a look at a hypothetical client who makes a hypothetical disclosure in a hypothetical therapy session, exploring how emphatic understanding relates to this hypothetical context. Although the primary focus here is on emphatic understanding, we can also make links with all of the other five necessary and sufficient conditions for client-centered therapy—they are essential and integral parts of the complex
So often in therapy, therapeutic or training groups when people become distressed or despairing they speak of entering a deep, dark place within themselves. A pit. A hole. A vacuum. Very often, a deep, dark, black hole. They feel terribly alone. Scared. Bewildered, often. frightened. Hopeless and helpless. Lost.
Very often this process of ‘entering the black hole’ or ‘going beyond the precipice’ is described as ‘falling apart’ or ‘going to pieces’. And it is way too scary a leap to take: what if I am unable to become whole again?
The idea of “HOW DO YOU DO”—a snappy title, some might say, came to me with reference to both “ demarcation disputes” and the process of student-centered learning of a person-centered approach (PCA) to counselling…
‘Demarcation disputes’ for me was around differentiation – the efforts of many to distinguish between counselling and psychotherapy, between person-centered and other approaches to counselling. Or psychotherapy. Or… Then, too, there have been the attempts to differentiatebetween counselling and counselling skills…
I use supervision to monitor and manage practical aspects of my client work, such as ensuring an appropriate case load with adequate time (currently three hours a month) allocated for supervision.
In my original submission for reinstatement of my accreditation, I included (and still include) an article that illustrates how I link my way of being with clients to client-centered theory – and this is a very important aspect of supervision for me. (Incidentally, I consider my knowledge of client-centered theory to be extremely in depth, and I experienced previous supervisors as less knowledgeable. This is one reason why I really appreciate being in a group with Alison, as her knowledge is profound, too.)
We often speak of client-centred therapy and the person-centred approach being “humanistic”. What is “humanism”? One way of approaching humanism is to look at four different ages of humanism—Ancient Greece, the Renaissance, the Age of Revolution and Modern Humanism.
The client-centered/person-centered approach derives primarily from the work of Carl Rogers (1902-1987). Nathaniel Raskin (in partnership with Rogers) wrote: Its essentials were formulated by Carl R. Rogers in 1940. A clearly stated theory, accompanied by the introduction of verbatim transcriptions of psychotherapy, stimulated a vast amount of research on a revolutionary hypothesis: that a self-directed growth process would follow the provision and reception of a particular kind of relationship characterized by genuineness, non-judgmental caring, and empathy.
My year by year experience is of trainees being skeptical when I speak of there being no such thing as the “sub-conscious”. I determined to undertake a little further research in an attempt to clarify—regrettably in some ways, this has resulted in a paper/lecture rather than an experiential, student-centered exercise.
At our joint PCT Scotland/BAPCA 1999 Forum in Glasgow there was an ongoing community of anywhere between around fifty and in excess of two hundred people. There were workshops on offer, there were speeches. There was socializing, isolation, eating and drinking and sleeping (a little!) and…here was angst, anger, joy, boredom…There were feelings of belonging, feelings of alienation…There was sharing, there was silence (shared or disconnected)
In this address, I attempt to represent the views of many. Although having mused upon the apparently amazingly diverse views upon what is and what is not person-centered, I was prompted to begin writing by a letter sent to me, at BAPCA (the British Association for the Person-Centered Approach) by Professor Dave Mearns (from the Counselling Unit at the University of Strathclyde, dated 19th January 1998), in which the prospect of accreditation (or perhaps ‘legitimization’) through BAPCA is raised. I will then move into a cross-sample of views on what does and does not constitute a person-centered approach, and potential consequences in terms of membership inclusion and exclusion for person-centered associations.
To learn more about Center for Studies of the Person and to be added to our mailing list for updates, events and workshop notifications. Subscribe Now!
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.