Running head: COUNSELING REVIEW PAPER 1
Counseling Review Paper
Michael S. Mooney
Liberty University
COUNSELING REVIEW PAPER 2
Client-Centered Therapy
A Client-centered therapy (CCT) is a counseling method that involves the counsellor
employing a non-commanding role. This technique demands a close rapport between the
therapist and his client. A therapist’s attitude matters a lot in ensuring that the CCT is successful
(Strickland, 2001). One of the significant qualities of the therapist includes congruence which is
the ability of the therapist to be open and sincere. Empathy enables the counsellor to recognize
and appreciate the client’s opinion. CCT also requires that the therapist admits all clients fully
without any form of discrimination. he main aims of the CCTStrickland (2001) provides that t
are increasing self-confidence and frankness between the client and therapist. Client-centred
therapy can be seen to be applied biblically in different scenarios, some which support the
approach and others opposing it.
Support for CCT
CCT, according to the Gale encyclopedia of psychology, advocates for things to be done
in an orderly way, being truthful and open ( Similarly, from Philippians 4:8-9,Strickland, 2001).
we are told that God will be in support of anyone who advocates for things that are right and just,
outstanding and pure and that anything that anyone has learned from Him (God) should put it
into practice. CCT also requires the therapist to be listening and considerate of the client’s views
and decisions even when these decisions seem uninformed. Similarly, from the story of the
prodigal son in the Bible, the younger brother asked for his portion of wealth from his father. The
father as per the request of the son divided the wealth for the two sons and the younger went to
squander it. Additionally, as a therapist, the father showed empathy by allowing his son back
after admitting his mistakes (Luke 15:11-32). The CCT is to ensure that the self-esteem and
confidence of the client have increased ( Biblically, CCT has been applied inStrickland, 2001).
COUNSELING REVIEW PAPER 3
Matthew 6:20-30 where people are urged to store their wealth in heaven where they are safer and
the writer goes further to tell them that they should not worry about what they should eat or dress
instead watch how birds are happy yet they do not sow but God takes care of them. Similarly, the
client centered therapy is based on the aspect of a close bonding between the client and the
counselor ( Biblically, in Matthew 11: 25-29, there is a good relationshipStrickland, 2001).
between God and Jesus; God reveals himself in Jesus by letting things not to be exposed to
powerful people but rather little children and Jesus admits that he knows God and that God
understands his own son, Jesus. In addition, CCT demands the counsellor to be open and speak
the truth without fear. From the bible context, Paul showed sincerity and openness in his vision
about the challenges he was undergoing including his thorn (2 Corinthians 12:1-10).
Limitations of CCT
One of the expectations of the CCT is to make sure that the client’s opinions are
guaranteed by the therapist ( In contrast to the Bible, Elijah having beenStrickland, 2001).
frightened by Jezebel, decided to run for his safety and after being tired he asked God to take
away his life for he felt he had completed his mission. God instead intervened through his angels
and let him arrive at Horeb (1 Kings 19:1-8). Similarly, the CCT requires the therapist not to
judge their patients in any manner; instead, they should accept them wholly no matter what
differences such as actions ( However, from the Bible, there is a contradictionStrickland, 2001).
to this view. In James 4:6-11, the author speaks of God conflicting the proud and giving charm to
those who are meek, and that people should not judge others, which is contrary to CCT. In
addition, the CCT gives hope to the clients but from the Bible, humans are prone to curses for the
evils they make, and they are recognized as dishonest (Jeremiah 17:5-10). CCT employs a
positive attitude for any person seeking to accomplish whichever task they set out to and that
COUNSELING REVIEW PAPER 4
they should not be discouraged by anyone. On the contrary, according to the Bible, one should
abide by the precepts laid down and not by his own understandings as seen in Proverbs 3:5-8.
In conclusion, client-centered therapy having been a secular professional, technology can
be assumed to have been used in the Bible context at some point to judge different occurrences.
The Bible, just like the CCT, gives hope for life but then and both provide similar and contrasting
approaches towards realizing these objectives. The CCT focuses on achieving specified goals
such as self-esteem irrespective of the path to follow in achieving such aims. However, with the
bible, for a better life, people need to follow and bear the guidelines correctly. The ideas behind
the client-centered therapy can be a good proof of why God created us and what he wants us to
be. It’s not about knowing ourselves but then letting God fulfil amongst ourselves. Humans
should embrace God as their shepherd in whom nothing can be lacked.
COUNSELING REVIEW PAPER 5
Reference
Strickland, B. R. (2001). The Gale encyclopedia of psychology. Gale.
