The person-centred approach today and tomorrow: Seeds of a peaceful revolution

Gina Di Malta, Mick Cooper, Yana Gololob, Maureen O'Hara, Susan Stephen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Person-centred theory and practice is firmly grounded in an experiential-phenomenological perspective, and an understanding of the principles and assumptions underlying this worldview provides person-centred practitioners with a valuable opportunity to deepen their engagement with their work. Through engaging with clients as experiencing subjectivities, and through examining the nature of this experiencing, person-centred trainees and therapists can come to extend their levels of empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence, thus helping their clients to become more fully open to their own lived-being. This chapter discusses Rogers' emphasis on experiencing as the essence of human being; the phenomenological foundations of this experiential perspective; the nature of experiencing; the difficulties with, and limitations of, basing a therapeutic approach on experiential foundations; and strategies for translating an experiential perspective into therapeutic practice.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Handbook of Person-Centred Psychotherapy and Counselling (3rd ed.)
EditorsGina Di Malta, Michael Cooper, M. O'Hara, Yana Gololob, Susan Stephen
PublisherBloomsbury
Pages1-16
ISBN (Print)9780230280496
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2024

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