Running head: PERSON CENTERED

THERAPY 1

The Application of Person-Centered Therapy to the Case of Ana

Billy Mondragon

Grand Canyon University: PCN-500

Rebecca Richey

2/7/19
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The Application of Person-Centered Therapy to the Case of Ana

Person Centered Therapy Overview

Person-centered therapy is an approach that moves most of the responsibility for

treatment from the therapist to the client. The client is in control of the visits with the therapist’s

role being reaffirming or pointing out emotions without being judgmental. Carl Rogers

developed this theory in the 1930s. In fact, he was the one who started referring to people as

clients instead of patients in order to present a more equal view of the relationship in the client’s

eyes. Due to Ana’s anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, this seems like the best fit for her

therapy.

Goals and Interventions

The main purposes of person-centered therapy are the increasing of self-esteem, self-

worth and a reduction in defense mechanisms such as guilt. This is done through unconditional

positive recognition and empathy. The most important part of this therapy is the therapist-client

relationship, the therapist must be genuine and be empathetic towards the client to build the trust

needed. The therapist should not give advice during treatment but should point out emotions

such as: “It seems Bob really made you angry.” While the therapist should be empathetic, they

must take care not shift focus from the client to themselves. The goal is to reaffirm the client’s

decisions thereby bringing up their self-confidence moving them closer to the way they wish to

be rather than the way they are. This is important in Ana’s case since she seems to have a

defeated attitude, is embarrassed of her current situation, and is refusing to ask for help because

of it. Through treatment, Ana’s self-esteem will be raised, she will become more confident in her

family standing and perhaps be able to ask them for help.

Theory Duration
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Person-centered therapy has no set guides as to the duration or frequency of visits. This is

all placed in the hands of the client. That being said, 8 visits is a rather short time, so hopefully

Ana would be able to complete treatment or be helped to a point where she can get her own aid.

Counselor’s Role

In person-centered therapy, the counselor’s role is one of a good listener. They are to let

the client dictate where the problems are and encourage the client as much as possible. The

therapist is not to direct the client or attempt to change problem behaviors. They are entirely

empathetic and supportive of the client, according to Daliana 2018 Complementary Aspects in

Reality Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy.

Client’s Role

Ana is the client. It is up to Ana in person centered therapy to be in control of the

treatment sessions and pace of the therapy. The therapist is just there to provide support without

insite or direction, according to Watson (2006). So, all of the direction of the visits and the

topics discussed would be decided by Ana.

Appropriate Populations and Social and Cultural Needs

Person-centered therapy can be applied to a broad group of people. It was not designed

with an age group, social or cultural demographic in mind. Some have claimed to have had

complications applying this therapy to under educated or non-verbal persons. However, it is used

in younger children as play therapy so that shows it can be adapted as stated by Goicoechea &

Fitzpatrick (2019). Culturally, the client is

Dictating what is being said so there is little chance of cultural issues arising. Ana can choose

how much to reveal or hide about her culture and social identity in therapy.
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Additional Information Regarding Ana’s Case

Ana’s current emotional state makes her a good candidate for person-centered therapy. It

is designed to raise self-esteem and teach emotional independence both things that Ana sorely

needs.

Risks of the Utilization of Person-Centered Therapy

With the client leading the direction of therapy many risks can occur. There is a chance,

in Ana’s case that she might require more than 8 visits. Sometimes at the start emotion can

become intense and depression may increase. If this gets too bad, there is a possibility of the

client dropping from the therapy and being in a worse state than when she started.

References

Daliana Mocan. (2018). Complementary Aspects in Reality Therapy and Person-Centered

Therapy. Open Journal for Psychological Research, Vol 2, Iss 1, Pp 21-26 (2018), (1), 21.

https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.32591/coas.ojpr.0201.03021m

Goicoechea, J., & Fitzpatrick, T. (2019). To know or not to know: Empathic use of client

background information in child-centered play therapy. International Journal of Play

Therapy, 28(1), 22–33. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1037/pla0000087

Watson, J. C. (2006). A reflection on the blending of person-centered therapy and solution-

focused therapy. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 43(1), 13–15.

https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1037/0033-3204.43.1.13
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Murdock, N. L. (2017). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy (4th ed.). New York, NY:

Pearson.