Running head: CONCEPTUALIZATION TREATMENT PLAN 1

Counseling Project: Conceptualization and Treatment Plan1

Person-Centered Therapy
Leah Woodard
Liberty University
Conceptualization and Treatment Plan1 2

Abstract
Joy is an upper middle-aged woman having relationship issues with her daughter, mother, and

ex-husband. She is also deeply depressed from the recent death of her oldest daughter and the

breakup of her marriage. She is suffering from low self-esteem and feeling like her life is out of

her control. She compensates for this by being overly organized. She is seeking therapy in hopes

of being able to have better personal relationships, cope with her grief and to feel better about

herself and to find meaning in her life. Life. At this junction Person-centered therapy (PC) will

be the most appropriate form of therapy for Joy. Since this form of requires the therapist to

uplifting, real, and empathetic it will be beneficial for Joy to obtain goals and to grow as an

individual feeling worthy and finding meaning through unconditional positive regard, coherence

and compassion. Bearing in mind the aforementioned concepts of Person-centered therapy a

Christian belief system can be integrated into the therapeutic process. Even so caution should be

exercised to not become fixated on self-sufficiency which is in direct contradiction to a Christian

belief.
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Person-Centered therapy

It took Carl Rogers over 40 years to develop Person-centered therapy. He obtained

recognition from the APA for “distinguished scientific contribution” (Murdock, 2009). Person-

centered therapy is a common practice across Europe. Although, it is not a common practice in

the United States it is still utilized by some therapist. The ability for people to be good is the

foundation of Person-centered therapy. The ability to be good according to Rogers is the

fundamental nature of humans when functioning freely. Additionally, humans are driven by

instinct and how one functions is based on the awareness of the ability to be good (Murdock,

2009). When approaching Person-centered therapy there is a need to be transparent, empathetic

and to have unconditional positive regard toward the client in order to facilitate growth and

understanding with the client.

Person-centered therapy is described by Jones and Butman (2011) as being based off

phenomenology. They came to this conclusion because of Rogers beliefe in the uniqueness of

individuals, their actions along with decision making. This makes it fesable to be classified as a

form of self-determinism in such that the individual is self-aware and can make self-actualization

(Jones and Butman, 2011). It can be assertatnied that Person-centered therapy is client driven and

client led throught the theraputice process. The therapist must be committed to the processes and

provide the client with affirmation twoard’s the clients growth. There must be an understanding

of the way the client process information about themselves and their perspectives. Each

individual is unique thus the counsling session will be unique as well. With the self led/directed

sessions the client should be able to come to an accetptance that they are accountable for where

they are as a result of the choices they have made.

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Research has proven that those that participate in Person-centered therapy are more likely

to make a positive change in life this is based on the awareness and understanding that the client

has of self. There is a 30 percent change in the achievement of psychotherapy, these changes are

significant and continue to grow Murdock (2009). Psychologist as well as theologist have

debated the study of Person-centered therapy. Even though Carl Rogers held the belief that

humans are created in the image of God and created by God these views is in conflict in relation

of the term’s self and the ability of an individual to be in control of their destiny. Jones and

Butman (2011) deduce that Person-centered therapy is too focused on self and the care of self

thus resulting in a disregard for others. This can be construed as morally wrong. There is no

reason at this time to believe that Joy will have any multicultural issues utilizing person-centered

therapy as the therapeutic treatment. It has been assumed that Person-centered therapy an

effective approach for clients that are form varies cultural backgrounds. With the influence of

Enlightenment along with Western humanism has shown this not to be true with many groups

(Jones and Butman, 2011). Person-centered therapy has been one of the significant influencers of

crisis intervention. Although it is effective it may not be a suitable technique for everyone that is

in a crisis situation (Young and Lester, PhD, 2001). Joy is not currently in any crisis; she has

mild depression which is normal when grieving. She is not displaying any suicidal idolizations.

Person-centered therapy enables the client to adress their current life issue, wich aids in

self-assessment, and disocoveryof why and how they are feeling as they do, along with the

impact it has on them (Murdock, 2009). For Joy this will aid in her goal of attaning the feeling of

bing in control. Additionally, Person-centered therapy can be effective in treating Joy’s

interpersonal relationships with her daughter, Reggie by utilizing unconditional positive regard.

Furthermore, with the concepts of compassion and coherence

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Interventions

Joy has indicated that she feels as thou she is inapt at being a mother. She places blame

on her mother for leaving her with care givers. Because of this thinking it is a hinderance in her

being able to have a meaningful relationship with her surviving daughter, Reggie. The sudden

death of her oldest daughter has put Joy in a depressive state that is exasperated by her low self-

esteem Joy states that she is she is profoundly unsatisfied and frustrated with her life. She admits

that she feels out of control and feels a need to regain her feeling of self- assuredness. She does

not currently have any close friends, nor does she have any religious connections. She is aware

that there is something more out there. Joy understands that she needs some help before she

spirals into a crisis state. The primary goals for Joy’s treatment will address her interpersonal

relationship with her daughter, her depression and her feelings of being out of control.

With the flexiblty of Person-centered therapy it can be a bencial form of therapy. There

are three core conditions that facilatet growth and undersatnding for the client during the

therputic relationship. The core conditions consit of Compassion, Coherence, and

Unconditional positive regard.

Compassion

Compassion other wise referred to as empathy awknowldges and recognozes a person's

feelings and emotions. When a therapist extends compassion to a client this becomes a building

block in forming a trusting relationship between the client and couslor. When utilizing

compassion the counselor is able to place themselves in the mindset of of thir client. The abilty

to see from the perspective of clients is vital for this form for therapy (Murdock, 2009). The

function of empathy is to generate a particular kind of learning experience so that clients come to
Conceptualization and Treatment Plan1 6

relate to themselves differently ( Arthur Bohart,1991). For Joy, coming along side her and

sharing her loss with emphaty will establish report bewtween her and the counselor during this

time of profound grief. There is a need for a supportive and empathiic relationship for the griving

client. The person-centerd therapy approach” follows the client's agenda and facilitates an

individual, diverse process” (Mclaren, 2010)

Coherence

Coherence is the ability of the counselor to be transpatant, real and realness, transparence,

congruence thus the counselor isaware of their own personal experiences through the client's

session (Murdock, 2009). Corherence arises when emotions are raw and the counsleor is able to

be themselves with the client. Coherence will allo Joy to speak freely during her sessions which

will help her to regain feeling of control. This in turn will enable her to oragnize the postive

aspects of her life.

Unconditional Positive Regard

The essance of unconditional positive regard acceptance and compassion toward the

client. There should always be complete focus on the client . The counselor should exhbat

acceptance towards the clients current percpective. Additional unconditioanl positve regard if not

judgmental nore does it place conditions on care. For the threapist this is the opportunity to care

and realte to the client (Murdock 2009). Having this behavior modled during sessions would

enable Joy to extend unconditional positive regard toward Reggie. When fewer conditions of

worth are placed on her, she will be more likely to have a higher level of emotional adjustment in

coping with her parents divorce and the loss of her sister. In theory if Reggie is experiencing

more unconditional positive regarde she will be more adpt at communicating with Joy. Thus, Joy
Conceptualization and Treatment Plan1 7

will be more empathtic towards Reggie and she in turn will be more empathtic to Joy thus

building a foundation of unconditional positive regarde for one another ( Rogers, 1959).

Spiritual Application

Person-centered therapy is a double edge sword when intergrating Christian belifes into the

theraputic process. On one side if the core comcepts are unadulterated then it is reasonable to

have expectations that the treatment will be effective. On the other side it is important to note

that there a number of assumptions that are in direct conflict with Christian beliefs.

In the intial assisment of Joy it has been assertaned that she does not currently hold to any

religious and or spiritual belife and is unsure about her understanding of God and heaven. This is

hindering her in copeing with the death of her daughter. Additionally, Joy is suffering from low

self esteem. By intergrating a Christian belife system into her sessions this will likely help her

process the loss of her daughter and have an undersatnding of her grief and to rebuild her self

image as someone that has worth.. There should not be any conflicts with intergrating a Chrstian

perspective into her therputice process.

Person-centered therapy compatible with Christain Beliefs

There are a number of ways that Person-centered therapy alines with a Christian

perpective. The first area that Christian belife system is compatible with Person-centered therpay

is in the area of empaty and unconditonal postive regard. Christians are to not pass judgment on

one another. They are to come alongside and extend the hand of brotherly love and compassion.

Secondly Person-centered therapy offers valuable direction in relating to others by means

of authenticity. Christian are to be honest in all that they do (1 Peter 3:10, Colossians 3:9;

Philippians 4: 8; Proverbs 12:22) We are commanded to love others, not grounded on what they
Conceptualization and Treatment Plan1 8

do but founded on God's unconditional love for us (John 13:34-35). And taking time to listen to

another’s story and accurately respond with care and concern is loving.

Finally, Person-centered therapy is compatible with Christian beliefs on the assumptions

that a relationship involving the core conditions indicates the truth of God's love and He is

actively involved in the life of individuals. As a Christian there is the understanding that God is

the One who listens. Thus, the Christian counselor who receives and hears their client’s issues

are acting as Christ would. Christian beliefs and Person-centered therapy based on the idea that a

therapeutic relationship with the above-mentioned core conditions reflects God’s truth of love

and His involvement in our lives (Lynch, 1997)

Person-centered therapy Not compatible with Christian Beliefs

When integrating a Christian belief system in Person-centered therapy there are areas that

are not compatible with Christian beliefs. First area that it is not compatible is Authority and the

self. Person-centered therapy rejects any other authority over self. Giving all authority over to the

individual and stating that they are in control of one’s own destiny. This gives over to a form of

self-idolization, this effectively takes the focus off God. (Jones and Butman 2011).

Secondly, the aspect of Phenomenology and the self is in direct contradiction with

Christian beliefs. Person-centered therapy proclaims that “When self-actualization is in line with

organismic valuing process, trustworthy self-knowledge is fully obtained” (Jones and Butman,

pg. 272, 2011). This does not adhere to Christian belief system that God is the source of divine

revelation and the ultimate authority.

Lastly, when addressing Freedom and responsibility, person-centered therapy is explicit

that the individual is ultimately responsible only to themselves. This makes it impossible for the
Conceptualization and Treatment Plan1 9

individual to extend agape love to others. Applying agape love requires an individual to place

others before themselves. Additional, in regard to personal freedom the Christian belief places

limitations on freedom; Christian are in “bondage to evil, self-deception, and sin” (Jones and

Butman, pg. 273, 2011).

Conclusion

When the counselor effectually utilizes the three core conditions of compassion,

coherence and unconditional positive regard the outcome will be a therapeutic relationship that is

akin to that of friendship. When there an absence of unconditional positive regard this can lead to

a profound sense of “condition of un-worth,” There is evident in clients who have experienced

disturbing levels of neglect or abuse in childhood or later on in life.” Other instances include

children raised by “care-givers” with seriously depleted capacities for providing empathic care “

( Vaidya, 2013) In the case of Joy, being raised by care givers the assumption can be made that

this is one contributing factor of her feelings of low self- esteem as well as her inability to have

positive regard towards her daughter. Person-centered therapy can bring about a constructive

personality change. Rogers, (1957) states that there are six necessary conditions that must be

meet for personality change to occur: Two individuals are in psychological contact. One is the

client who is vulnerable and or anxious. The second person is the therapist, who is congruent in

the relationship. The therapist expresses unconditional positive regard for the client. And

therapist feels an empathic understanding of the client's inner frame of reference and

communicates this to the client. The interaction with the client allows for a minimal degree of

empathic understanding and unconditional positive regard. If these conditions exist no other

conditions are necessary. When they exist and continue the process of constructive personality
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change will follow (Rogers, 1957). It is reasonable for Joy and her counselor to have all six

conditions, thus enabling Joy to establish a constructive personality change.

.
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