Ms. Sarah Thompson is a 42-year-old white Female who reported her gender identity as Lesbian. She said she is a senior graphic designer at a marketing agency specializing in visual communication and branding. She indicated during her initial session that she has been experiencing symptoms of anxiety at the workplace following a poor performance evaluation, which has caused her concern as it has impacted her self-confidence. This is an important concern as she does not want this to impact her job performance.
When asked why she scheduled an appointment for counseling, she reported that over the past two to three weeks, she has been experiencing increased feelings of sadness and hopelessness, most of the day nearly every day throughout this two to three week period. She had diminished interest as she had lost pleasure in activities she enjoyed. Sarah had experienced significant weight loss without dieting, struggled with insomnia, and exhibited psychomotor agitation. Additionally, she reported feeling tired and lacking energy throughout the day, experiencing intense feelings of worthlessness and difficulty concentrating and making decisions.
The main issue for Ms. Thompson is her battle with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), characterized by continuous depressive symptoms that significantly affect her work, emotional wellness, and overall relationships (Corey, 2012). Her decision to seek counseling stems from her recognition of the importance of a professional in supporting her in managing these debilitating symptoms.
Ms. Thompson reported that she started experiencing depressive symptoms approximately three weeks ago. While she indicated that she has been aware of these symptoms for about four weeks, she now recognizes the frequency and duration as becoming more persistent.
When questioned during her intake counseling session about the impact of her mood and behavioral change on her work performance and interpersonal relationships, she reported that her symptoms are beginning to disrupt the quality of her life significantly. She reported that she has found it challenging to work effectively, prompting increased anxiety regarding her job security. Additionally, her interpersonal relationships with family and colleagues have become strained. Consequently, she reported struggling with maintaining a healthy emotional connection with her family. One of her reasons for scheduling a counseling appointment is that her efforts to resolve her emotional challenges independently have been unsuccessful.
During her intake counseling session, Ms. Thompson presented herself as disheveled in her appearance. Most notably, she appeared to have neglected her grooming and dressed casually with little care for detail. Emotionally, she reported that she was in a sad and despairing mood. She indicated that she was physically exhausted and aware that her speech was slow and frequently interrupted by extended pauses. She attributed physical exhaustion to her emotional anguish.
Ms. Thompson’s decision to schedule an appointment for counseling emerged from her desire to establish whether her emotional state qualified as clinical depression. She was also curious about counseling and how she could benefit from talk therapy. Consequently, she reported that she was willing to engage in counseling to begin addressing the sources of emotional challenges and developing greater awareness about her current state of being.
Ms. Thompson’s self-reported symptoms have reportedly impaired her ability to perform well in the workplace, maintain healthy interpersonal relationships, and manage her day-to-day routines effectively. She also indicated that she is very concerned that her symptoms might persist, placing her in the uncomfortable circumstance of potentially losing her job and possibly isolating herself even more from the support network.
Ms. Thompson reportedly acknowledges that she is encouraged to learn healthier methods of expressing her emotions and interacting with colleagues for her overall well-being. Based upon her responses to what she has shared during her intake counseling session, shs demonstrates some healthy coping strategies. An example is her self-awareness, resilience, and willingness to seek counseling. Her weakness is coping with depressive symptoms since she cannot manage them alone to inform the need for improved coping skills. Unfortunately, based on her family and friendship connections, she appears to have a limited social support network of family and friends.
Ms. Thompson reported that she is still working on her gender identity as someone who sees her gender identity as being a part of the LQBTQ population. She experiences challenges and discrimination following her gender identity, which has increased her emotional struggles. These concerns will be helpful in the description of the counseling approaches. She has a mindful daily routine that includes daily meditation. Although this meditative practice offered her some solace, it did not alleviate her depressive symptoms sufficiently nor address her underlying emotional struggles.
Consequently, Ms. Thompson is ready to seek counseling to help improve her interpersonal communication and relationships. She indicated that she is encouraged to learn healthier ways of interacting with others and expressing her emotions. This willingness to engage in counseling illustrates a psychological capacity for growth and improvement.
She reported that Sarah’s family consists of her and her parents and no siblings, as she is the only child. The family has had occasional conflicts due to diverse beliefs and values. There is no significant history of psychopathology in the family. However, she reported that despite the dissimilarities, she has a reasonably close relationship with her parents since they have been generally supportive, but her experience has strained their relationship. When questioned about any dysfunctional issues, she reported that there is no history of emotional or physical abuse in her family. She indicated that she has few friends but has recently been isolated from them following her emotional struggles. She is currently single and in a non-romantic relationship. Her sexual orientation is Lesbian.
Additionally, she reported that she has no learning disability and that she has never experienced any mental-related issues other than what has occurred over the past month. During the past two to three weeks, she has been experiencing what she described as depressive-like symptoms. Regarding her work life, she is a senior graphic designer at a marketing agency. Her employment has been stable for the past seven years, and she reported having no financial issues.
In summary, a 42-year-old female graphic designer, Sarah Thompson, is experiencing a significant challenge in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Her symptoms, which have persisted for about nine weeks, have adversely affected her work performance, overall quality of life, and relationships. Despite her coping strategies, she has decided to seek counseling professionals following the severity of her symptoms and her recognition of the importance of a professional. Her demographic history, including acculturation concerns, limited support network, and willingness to engage in counseling, is critical for focusing on effecting therapeutic strategies.
Part 2: Person-Centered Therapy in Counseling Psychology
In the context of the provided simulated narrative transcript, this paper examines the foundational principles of person-centered Therapy based on concepts from humanistic psychology, many of which were articulated by Carl Rogers (Corey, 2016). It explains how the clients’ presenting issues can be comprehended within the framework of person-centered Therapy and outlines a systematic approach to devising and executing a treatment plan consistent with this therapeutic approach.
The Basic Philosophies
Person-centered basic philosophy emphasizes the belief in human beings’ inherent search for personal growth and self-actualization according to (Corey, 2016). The person-centered approach is based on the idea that people are inherently trustworthy. It was influenced by the core concepts of humanistic psychology. It makes the critical claim that people have a great deal of potential for self-awareness and problem-solving even without direct therapist intervention, highlighting the critical role that the therapist’s traits and attitudes play in therapy outcomes. Person-centered Therapy, which departs from expertise-focused approaches, views the client as the principal agent for changing themselves. It does this by creating a growth-promoting atmosphere that is marked by sincerity, unconditional positive respect, and empathetic understanding. The four stages of the approach’s progression have seen it applied to various sectors outside of counselling. Its humanistic philosophy, which is in line with existentialism, emphasizes respect for the client’s subjective experiences and their ability to make constructive decisions. It sees people as naturally capable of transforming themselves and their communities. Person-centered treatment essentially creates an environment that is supportive of self-awareness, self-healing, and constructive change.
In Sarah’s case, the strategy resonates with her innate potential for self-awareness and personal development. I would help her to examine her thoughts, feelings, and emotions fearlessly by offering a non-directive, non-judgmental, and empathetic therapeutic environment. This philosophy aligns with her need for self-acceptance and self-exploration as she seeks to understand her depressive symptoms and their impact on her life. Through the person-centered approach, I would provide Sarah with empathetic listening and unconditional positive regard, which motivates her to express her thoughts and emotions openly, ultimately leading to her self-actualization. The Therapy will encourages her to move towards personal growth and self-actualization by acknowledging her feelings and experiences without judgment, enhancing her journey to better mental wellness.
Key Concepts
In Person-Centered Therapy, one key concept is the notion of self-concept, which plays a critical role in my client’s case. Self-concept relates to an individual’s understanding and perception of themselves (Corey, 2016). The therapist’s job is to create a growth-promoting environment marked by congruence, unconditional positive regard, and correct empathic understanding. When therapists adopt these views, their clients become less defensive and more open, which promotes prosocial and constructive behaviour. The actualizing tendency, which is a constructive, forward-thinking quality in people highlights how people are naturally motivated towards excellence, fulfilment, autonomy, and self-determination. The person-centered approach rejects the therapist’s role as an authority figure and instead focuses the primary responsibility for the client’s growth on them. The foundation of Therapy is the client’s ability to modify their attitudes and behaviours on their own. Person-centered therapists emphasize the positive aspects of human nature, emphasizing the strengths of each individual and the contributions they may make to Therapy. The focus is on assisting clients in moving forward in positive ways and overcoming growth-blocking barriers. Since self-actualization is a process rather than a destination, the humanistic viewpoint enables clients to make decisions that result in authentic living.
Sarah’s self-concept is seriously affected by her depressive symptoms, which have initiated her low self-esteem and self-doubt. Through the therapeutic process, she will commence to examine and understand her self-concept more effectively. I would support her in recognizing that her self-concept is impacted by self-criticism and societal expectations, prompting her feelings of inadequacy. For example, during the session, she gradually discovers that her self-concept is undermined by negative feelings about herself, which have exacerbated her depression. In this case, a non-judgmental and empathetic strategy would allow her to examine these negative perceptions, hence a shift in self-concept and positive view of herself. Person-centered Therapy will help Sarah to align her self-concept with her true self by fostering self-acceptance and self-exploration, ultimately improving her mental health.
Goals of Therapy
The creator of this method, Carl Rogers, highlighted that the goal of Therapy is to support clients in their personal development so they can deal with obstacles both now and in the future, rather than to fix immediate problems (Corey, 2016). In Therapy, clients frequently come with the goal of uncovering their true selves and shedding the socialized masks that have been built around them. The main goal is to establish a therapeutic environment that supports people in removing these masks and cultivates traits like readiness to grow, self-trust, openness to experience, and internal assessment. Some of the other overarching objectives of Carl Rogers’ Person-Centered Therapy are to promote psychological health, personal development, and self-discovery. The method aims to establish a safe space for clients to express their emotions and experiences without worrying about being judged. This space is defined by real acceptance, empathetic understanding, and unconditional positive regard. Improving the client’s self-awareness is the main objective since it will enable a better comprehension of their feelings, ideas, and actions. Through this process, people are given the ability to access their inherent potential for self-directed transformation, which enables them to take steps towards living more genuine and satisfying lives.
The primary goal of this therapy model would be to help Sarah attain significant self-awareness, self-actualization, and self-acceptance. In Sarah’s case, these goals are critical for addressing her depression. Sarah can understand her depressive symptoms and emotions when the therapist facilitates her self-awareness. Self-acceptance could help her express her experiences and feelings without judgment. Additionally, self-actualization empowers her to unlock her potential and make effective decisions that resonate with her authentic self. Through this therapeutic strategy, she is positively impacted since she can focus on emotional growth and self-esteem. And a more fulfilling life.
The Therapeutic Relationship
Core conditions of congruence, empathy, and unconditional positive regard characterize the therapeutic relationship in Person-Centered Therapy (Corey, 2016). It places a special emphasis on fostering an environment of sincerity, unconditional positive respect, and empathetic understanding in the therapeutic relationship. The therapeutic relationship is regarded by this approach’s originator, Carl Rogers, as the primary component of successful treatment. The goal of Therapy is to give patients a secure, accepting environment in which they feel free to explore their feelings, ideas, and experiences (Corey, 2016). It is important for the therapist to have a comprehensive understanding of the client’s subjective world in order to provide a supportive and accepting environment. Regardless of their beliefs or actions, unconditional positive regard guarantees that clients feel appreciated and accepted, which fosters a sense of security. Being genuine and open in their relationships with patients helps the therapist maintain congruence, or genuineness.
In my client’s case, this therapeutic relationship has an impulsive impact on her well-being. Sarah’s depressive symptoms have left her disconnected and isolated from family and colleagues. I would try to accommodate her to feel validated and heard, regulating the sense of isolation. Congruence allows the therapist to be transparent and genuine, which promotes trust in person-centered Therapy. Unconditional positive regard propagates care and acceptance, which is helpful for a person struggling with depression and self-esteem. Through this therapeutic relationship, Sarah can start building her self-worth and seeking the support she requires to mitigate her behavioral concerns.
Techniques of Therapy
Carl Rogers established Person-Centered Therapy, which stands out for its focus on the fundamental requirements of empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity in the therapeutic interaction and its sparing use of tools (Corey, 2016). One of the main strategies used in this approach is reflective listening, in which the therapist pays close attention to the client’s facial expressions and reflects back the ideas and feelings expressed. Through mirroring the client’s experiences, ideas, and feelings, this technique seeks to increase the client’s self-awareness. The therapist’s introspection functions as sympathetic reactions rather than interpretations, enabling patients to delve deeper into their inner lives. The method encourages clients to take the lead in the therapy process by creating a non-directive and non-judgmental environment. By replicating the client’s emotions and experiences, the therapist attempts to show empathy while striving to fully comprehend the client’s subjective experience. Fostering a sense of safety and acceptance for the client entails appreciating and accepting them without passing judgement. This is known as unconditional positive regard. Congruence, or genuineness, necessitates the therapist’s being real and open in their communication.
In my client’s case, the reflective listening technique plays a crucial role in her healing. I would reflect on Sarah’s emotions and thoughts through reflective listening, allowing her to examine her feelings deeply. For instance, when she expresses her worry about job performance, the therapist responds, “It seems like you are worried about not meeting your job expectations.” This reflection will help her to gain a clear picture of her emotions and concerns. It conveys empathy, which is crucial for an individual struggling with depression and support in gaining self-insights and navigating her challenges.
Applications of the Approaches
In applying the reflective listening technique for my client’s case, I would start by saying, “We’ve been meeting for a few sessions now, and I’ve noticed that you’ve had some challenges sharing your concerns with me. Therefore, in today’s session, I would like to use the following Person-centered approach to help facilitate our counseling session today.” Then, I would proceed through the conversation below;
Counselor: “Sarah, today, we’re going to engage in a reflective listening exercise. I’ll listen actively to what you share and then reflect back on what I hear to ensure I understand correctly. Please share any thoughts or concerns on your mind.”
Sarah: “I’m just feeling overwhelmed at work, and I don’t know how to handle it.”
Counsellor: Work appears to be placing a lot of strain on you, and you’re unsure how to deal with it. “Did I get that correctly?”
Sarah: “Yes, that’s exactly how I feel.”
Counselor: “Thank you for sharing that. It’s essential to acknowledge the challenges you’re facing. What specific aspects of work are causing the most stress for you right now?”
Sarah: “I think it’s the constant criticism and feeling like I’m not meeting expectations.”
Counselor: “I hear that the criticism and the sense of not meeting expectations are weighing heavily on you. It must be tough. Can you tell me more about how this is impacting your daily life?”
Person-centered Therapy is characterized by empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, which strongly affect Sarah’s case. The therapist should convey these qualities consistently, promoting a safe environment where Sarah can freely express her emotions without fear of judgment (Corey, 2016). This motivates Sarah to examine her depressive symptoms, as she understands that her feelings are accepted and comprehended. Furthermore, the strategy’s non-directive nature allows her to direct the discussion, focusing on her most stressful issues. This strategy resonates her self-exploration goals and advances her self-esteem. Person-centered Therapy’s core values of client autonomy guarantee Sarah to lead the therapy session, prompting emotional healing and self-understanding.
Contributions to Multicultural Counselling
Person-Centered Therapy approach has made a significant contribution to intercultural counselling that is worth highlighting. The influence has extended beyond national borders, impacting counselling, education, and intercultural dialogue in more than 30 nations (Corey, 2016). The person-centered ideology has been adopted and integrated into many cultures across the world, including Europe, South America, Japan, Australia, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. It emphasizes fundamental conditions like empathy and respect. In international encounter groups, the approach’s adaptability in various cultural contexts demonstrates its global reach; millions of people worldwide have been impacted by Rogers’s books. The person-centered ideology, which emphasizes universal qualities and rejects a one-size-fits-all approach, is particularly suited to multicultural counselling. Person-Centered Therapy is a powerful and broadly applicable technique in the field of intercultural counselling because of its inclusivity.
In Sarah’s case, person-centered Therapy contributes valuably to multicultural counselling because it emphasizes understanding and empathy to respect her differences and cultural diversity. Since Sarah is from a multicultural background, I would use empathetic stance and ability to listen to her genuinely without judgement fosters an atmosphere where her cultural background is respected and acknowledged. This improves collaboration in the therapy process and helps her reconcile her cultural background and emotional challenges. Person-centered Therapy’s underscoring on non-defectiveness and authenticity will allow her to freely examine cultural experiences, enhancing a profound understanding of how her background impacts her emotional wellness. It motivates her to express her unique cultural perspectives, encouraging self-acceptance and personal growth within multicultural identity.
Limitations in Multicultural Counselling
Person-Centered Therapy has been very helpful in counselling people from different backgrounds, yet it has drawbacks when it comes to multicultural counselling (Corey, 2016). Some patients receiving outpatient treatment or assistance from community mental health clinics might need more structure than what this method offers. Clients may anticipate a more directive counsellor in times of crisis or for practical problem-solving due to cultural norms. It can be difficult to put the fundamental therapeutic conditions into practice, particularly when it comes to the therapist’s congruence and empathy expressions, which may need to fit the client’s cultural framework. The method’s emphasis on an internal locus of evaluation could be at odds with collectivist cultures, where people are greatly influenced by society norms.
While Person-Centered Therapy provides various advantages in multicultural counselling, it has limitations attached to Sarah’s case. The method’s non-directive nature might be complex for people like Sarah, whose culture expects directive and more structured guidance from the therapists. Due to Sarah’s multicultural background, he might perceive the open-ended nature of this Therapy as insufficient for meeting her expectations of addressing specific cultural concerns by providing direct solutions (Corey, 2016). Additionally, the Therapy might not offer culturally tailored interventions that could be useful for Sarah’s emotional struggles associated with her culture. Therefore, it is essential to acknowledge that despite a non-judgmental and empathetic stance, Person-Centered Therapy might not always provide culturally sensitive remedies, potentially impacting the efficacy and depth of counselling for clients such as Sarah.
Contributions of the Approaches
Since its start over 65 years ago, Person-Centered Therapy has had a significant and enduring influence on the counselling and psychotherapy fields (Corey, 2016). By placing more emphasis on the therapy relationship than on methods and therapist power, Rogers offered a ground-breaking substitute for psychoanalysis and directive approaches. A great deal of study has been done in psychotherapy as a result of Rogers’ emphasis on research and readiness to critically analyze his theories. One of the most significant contributions is the understanding of the critical role empathy plays in helping clients change for the better; therapist empathy has been found to be a strong predictor of client development. Person-Centered Therapy is continually developing, with new techniques created to address diverse and complex client needs.
Person-centered Therapy contributes to Sarah’s case by developing a non-judgmental and safe space where she can examine her multicultural concerns and emotional challenges. Sarah can express herself freely because of the therapist’s empathy and unconditional positive respect, which fosters trust and openness. She may explore her identity issues, cultural dilemmas, and depression symptoms without fear of criticism in this therapy environment. The emphasis on self-actualization in this method corresponds effectively with Sarah’s goal of revealing her authentic self and attaining personal growth. In this Person-Centered technique, I would assist Sarah on her path toward self-discovery and healing by actively listening to her story and mirroring her feelings and thoughts. This type of Therapy appreciates the individual’s unique experiences while acknowledging Sarah’s cultural background and abilities. Ultimately, person-centered Therapy will help Sarah grow, increase her self-esteem, and improve her interpersonal connections by encouraging self-exploration and self-acceptance.
Limitations of the Approaches
Person-Centered Therapy has drawn praise for its dedication to empirical examination; nonetheless, certain studies have shown methodological flaws that have led to criticism. Among the charges according to Corey, (2016) are the following: using control subjects who do not seek Therapy; not having untreated control groups; ignoring placebo effects; depending too much on self-reports; and paying insufficient attention to tried-and-true methods. A common shortcoming of existential approaches is their lack of focus on methods for altering behavior, which has drawn criticism from proponents of evidence-based practices. The possible drawback is from practitioners’ propensity to unnecessarily assist clients without pressing them, which constricts the gamut of possible reactions. It might be difficult to support clients in making their own goals decisions; therapists must be respectful of their clients’ choices. High personal standards are required by experiential techniques, which depend on the therapist’s personhood. Sincerity is crucial, and the efficacy of the therapeutic connection is determined by the therapist’s sincerity.
Despite the benefits of the Person-Centered approach in Sarah’s case, some limitations exist. The non-directive nature of this approach may lack the guidance and structure that Sarah requires to address her depressive symptoms and acculturation issues. Sarah requires stronger coping mechanisms and interventions to effectively eliminate her depressive symptoms, which the approach might not offer. Additionally, the method emphasizes introspection and self-actualization, which could be challenging for a person like Sarah, who might find it overwhelming. Based on her acculturation issues and depressive symptoms, more directive and immediate approaches could be helpful. Furthermore, although the Therapy develops an empathetic and accepting environment, it might not explicitly address the multifaceted, multicultural concerns, thus the need for an integrative approach to cater for her needs, providing a comprehensive intervention plan.
Reference
Corey, G. (2016). Person-Centered Therapy. In Theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy (8th ed., pp. 164–194). Cengage Learning.
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