TECHNIQUE OF CLIENT-CENTERED THERAPY

The client-centered therapist gives the patient the time and attention he needs to explore his situation in his own way and at his own pace. The therapist shows interest, patience, understanding, and humor; further, he reflects the emotional quality of the client’s comments as he restates or rephrases what the client said.

Rogers’s research indicates that the therapist’s sensitivity to the client’s feelings and comments, and his nonjudgmental acceptance of them helps the client to absorb anger or whatever feelings have created tensions, organ reactions,or relationship problems for him. If the client wants to deal with the past, he can do so.

If he chooses to sit in silence, he may do so. If he wants to transfer his feelings to the therapist, the therapist will reflect this but not interpret it. Thus, a unique atmosphere is created in which the client can be himself and not be judged, rejected, or advised, which he probably has been in his everyday life.

Learning Client-Centered Therapy as a therapy takes years of disciplined training under supervision and observation via tapes and audiovisual aids. Learning reflections of feelings as a technique has been helpful to thousands of educators, ministers, business managers, policemen, and parents.