Compare and contrast how the psychodynamic and person-centred approaches to counselling understand the person

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Relationship between patient/client and counsellor is counsellor led.

The person-centred approach to counselling was discovered by Carl Rogers in the late 1950’s. It is derived from the humanistic and phenomenological approaches, which views individuals as capable and autonomous, they have the ability to solve their difficulties, reach their potential and most of all change their lives in a positive direction. The therapeutic relationship between client and counsellor is of the utmost importance. Rogers argued that ‘conditions of worth’ influence the way people look at themselves. Individuals (adults and children) often behave in a particular way so as to gain acceptance and ‘positive regard’. The individual may lose touch with their ‘true self’ due to this. Children often grow up with ‘conditions of worth,’ childhood experiences that leave internalized values and ‘self concepts’ which affect personality and relationships with others around them. The person-centred approach does not search for these childhood experiences but allows the client to examine if they so wish to. McLeod (2008). However for this approach to be successful the counsellor is required to provide a consistently safe, confidential and supportive environment for the client to express any thoughts, feelings, emotions and experiences from the past/present when he/she feels it is appropriate, and without any judgement or condemnation. Three ‘core conditions,’ unconditional positive regard, empathy and congruence are essential for a favourable outcome to the therapy. Unconditional positive regard should be expressed by the counsellor at all times regardless of what the client does or says, otherwise any negative conditions and/or maladaptive self concepts the client may have may increase in intensity and healthy personal development will not occur. Empathy involves sensitivity whilst temporarily entering the client’s personal life. Understanding the other person’s views and values without judgement or condemnation. Congruence basically means that the counsellor is completely genuine, showing him/her true self and not hiding behind a professional mask. The relationship between client and counsellor should be equal and transparent at all times.

Looking at the aims of the two approaches is a good starting point for examining any differences between them. The psychodynamic approach aims to bring awareness to the inner emotional world of the patient/client in order to improve their capacity to relate to others and value themselves as they really are. The person-centred approach aims to release the client from the burden of trying to be who they are not, and to help find choices for living with a greater sense of reality in themselves and in other relationships. One of the main differences is that the psychodynamic approach focuses on how childhood experiences and unresolved childhood conflicts lead to problems later in life. It delves into the unconscious processes and examines defence mechanisms such as repressed thoughts, feelings and emotions. The ‘transference’ relationship helps the counsellor to make the client aware of these unconscious conflicts.

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The counsellor appears to have a directive role in the therapeutic process unlike the person-centred approach which promotes equality within the relationship between the counsellor and the client. Although both approaches appear to be looking in different directions, (psychodynamic-to childhood) and (person-centred-‘here and now’) there is a similarity in that childhood has some importance. Unconscionce conflicts derived from childhood and ‘conditions of worth’ and ‘self concepts.’ Other similarities are that both approaches accept that empathy, acceptance and understanding are important in the therapeutic process, although within person-centred it is crucial. Both approaches also encourage the patients/client to be aware of how they feel  their actions and responses. The psychodynamic approach would be my preference as I feel  more interested in the unconscious processes, especially rooted in childhood. The transference relationship, is fascinating to me because without knowing it people unconsciously repeat destructive relationships. Transference highlights these issues. The psychodynamic approach is like unlocking secrets of the past and allowing them to surface in a safe environment to be examined, which in turn can release the anxieties and depressive thoughts and allows the client to move on with a positive approach to life and people around them.

To conclude, the psychodynamic and person-centred approaches have the patients/clients wellbeing at the forefront of the therapeutic process. Psychodynamic has much more emphasis on the unconscious past with the counsellor being the directive in the relationship; ‘free association’ and ‘transference’ are essential for positive growth and potential to be achieved. Often this is a limited time based therapy unlike the person centred approach. The person-centred approach emphasises the ‘here and now’ with an equal, open, very genuine relationship between the client and counsellor. ‘Conditions of worth’ and ‘self concept’ are often expressed by the client which allows the client to release the burdens of trying to be who they are not, and live with a greater sense of reality of who they are and who they would like to be in relationships with other people.

Word count   1279.

McLeod, J. (2008) D171, introduction to counselling, pp 180, Open University.

McLeod, J. (2008) D171, introduction to counselling, pp 90, Open University.

McLeod, J. (2008), D171, Introduction to counselling, pp102-105, Open University.

T718463X                                  Self-evaluation

I found reading about the different approaches very interesting and informative. I didn’t have to read the chapter more than once to get to grips with the approaches.

What I did find difficult was fitting in the time to study the course work. Not sure if it’s because it’s the lead up to Christmas and everyone at work is taking annual leave which I have been asked to cover by management. Due to the nature of my job there are very few staff trained to cover the annual leave. Would consider taking a course at a different time of year in future.