COUC 510 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Case Conceptualization Using Person-Centered Therapy_ASSIGNMENT_2021.pdf

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Case Conceptualization Using Person-Centered Therapy

Cara Soto

Liberty University

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This paper explains the key concepts of the Person-Centered (PC) theory. The founder of PC

theory, Carl Rogers had a unique way of creating a safe and trusting relationship with clients

Centered therapy. Overall, the therapy when applied in the original form, or integrated into

different theories has proven effective with many clients (Moerman, M., 2012; Gibbard &

Hanley, 2008).

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Case Conceptualization Using Person-Centered Therapy

The Developer of Person-Centered Therapy

Carl R. Rogers is the developer of the Person-Centered Therapy (PC). He received his

clinical psychological degree from Columbia University in 1931. He worked for nine years in the

Child Study Department of the Society of Prevention and Cruelty to Children in Rochester, New

that is being counseled is at the center, they are equal with the therapist. It is assumed that the

client has all the resources to move forward with personal growth. Thus, the therapist is there to

move forward on the journey with the client. The counselor who is being genuine, by providing

an empathetic listening ear and complete acceptance of the client, helps the client explore parts

of themselves that they have distorted or denied. The goal is to help the client become congruent

with their feelings of their experiences. PC therapy explores a person’s ideal self-concept and

helps observe the true self and look for incongruencies between the two. The PC theory proposes

that with the counselor’s empathy, positive regard and active listening that the goal of this

process will be accomplished by creating a trusting and safe relationship with the client in hopes

that they can explore and reconnect with their fractured self.

study found that PC therapy is effective with people with mild to moderate mental health

problems (Gibbard and Hanley, 2008). One interesting study of a women with compulsive

buying addiction was followed for a year during which she received PC therapy. She struggled

with shame from buying too much and a habit of buying clothes on sale and returning them for

full price to stores had gotten her into legal trouble. During her treatment she kept a daily journal

and after following through with all therapy sessions there was a decrease in shopping and a

more positive overall feeling towards herself (Kellett, et. al. 2020). Scholarly journals recognize

the need for more study on PC therapy. There needs to be more current research in the

effectiveness of PC therapy (Atzil-Slonim, et. al. 2019).

What diagnoses has Person Centered therapy been shown through research studies to

ease. Another study suggests that using PC therapy in a school counselor setting would be ideal

for the child. It states that PC therapy would provide relationship benefits to the students and

What makes this theory appropriate for your client and their presenting problems you

noted in your first paper?

The client is suffering from a fractured self. He is living an incongruent life and as a

result is feeling shame, guilt, anxiety, self -contempt, and is suffering from poor physical health.

He is looking for relief. He needs someone to have an empathetic, non-judging, listening ear.

Person centered therapy can offer empathy which is a factor in self-actualization. According to

Elliott et. al. (2018), genuine empathy and care from a therapist can help in the process of

becoming congruent with the self. Numerous studies have shown that clients’ experiences of

emotions during psychotherapy represent a strong predictor of positive outcomes (Atzil-Slonim,

et. al. 2019). It has also been discovered that self-compassion helps to reduce depressive moods

(Diedrich, et. al. 2014). With these concepts proven by research it seems that the client will

benefit from this form of therapy.

uphold the American Counselors Associations (ACA) Code of Ethics A.4.b. (2014) which states,

counselors are aware of, and avoid imposing, their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.

This could pose a problem for the counselor if they are not thinking about the client’s best

Code of Ethics (2014).

What are any potential Multicultural issues that may arise using this theory with your

First, the client is a white male, who is independent and autonomous, he is well educated

with a high-status job. According to Jones and Butman (2011), these characteristics are ideal

qualifications for Person-Centered therapy. Secondly, the client comes from a culture where

relationships have fluid boundaries unlike some cultures who have a hierarchy of age and

wisdom. Lastly, the counselor must understand the client’s cultural background. If the presenting

client was of an unfamiliar cultural ethnicity the counselor would have to understand the client

through the lens of their culture and gain an understanding of their worldview perspective (Swan

and Ceballos, 2020).

Can this theory be used in crises situations?

Yes, it can be used for crises situations. It is effective for clients because the counselor is

there to support, they do not try to direct or change the clients experience (Carrick, 2013).

Arthur Dimmesdale, the client, is suffering from a fractured self. He had an affair with a

Accurate Empathic Understanding

Positive regard leads the counselor to empathy, as quoted by Murdock (2005), which is

described by Rogers (1980) as perceiving the internal experience of another as if he were that

person, and Rogers also saw empathy as a process not a destination. During this time of going

into the place of the client it would be in the best interest of both client and counselor for the

counselor to reflect on the client’s feelings. The counselor must ask questions for clarification

and rephrase what the client is trying to articulate. The counselor must walk with Dimmesdale

and entering his suffering with him. This creates a safe place for Dimmesdale to unpack his

feelings and sense he is heard and understood.

Spiritual Application

One of the first spiritual challenges that is presenting itself is that Dimmesdale feels he is

unforgivable. To address this first spiritual challenge, the counselor would remind Dimmesdale

church members, the towns people and God.

The first compatibility between Christianity and Person-Centered therapy is the belief

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image of God and he shapes us by being obedient towards him. To counter this first compatibility

of PC therapy, we must look at the incompatibility of the theory, we are not inherently good

people as PC theory suggests. Left to our own devises we cannot fully know ourselves by

ourselves. Our ultimate hope for transformation can only come from God, not ourselves or the

counselor (Jones and Butman, 2011).

The second compatibility is the journey of self-awareness. We as Christians must look

The final compatibility that fits very nicely with Christian view is three therapies:

Congruency, unconditional positive regard and empathy. These three envelop the definition of

agape love. As Christians this love is experienced directly from God and through God’s people.

The final incompatibility expressed through PC therapy is that of one-sided love. PC therapy

without the love of God offers empty grace and affirmation. Only true love comes with truth and

accountability (Jones and Butman, 2011).

Overall, this therapy will be of benefit for the client Arthur Dimmesdale. When Christian

values and techniques are used with Person-Centered therapy such as God’s agape love and

looking inside to see where we need a savior. I believe that with time and unconditional love