Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsKey ConceptsUsesBenefitsFocusEffectivenessThings to ConsiderHow to Get Started

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Table of Contents

Key Concepts

Uses

Benefits

Focus

Effectiveness

Things to Consider

How to Get Started

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Client-centered therapy, also known as person-centered therapy or Rogerian therapy, is a non-directive form of talk therapy where you act as an equal partner in the therapy process while your therapist remains non-directive—they don’t pass judgment on your feelings or offer suggestions or solutions.

Initially, Rogers called his technique “non-directive therapy.” Much like psychoanalystSigmund Freud, Rogers believed that the therapeutic relationship could lead to insights and lasting changes in clients.

While his goal was to be as non-directive as possible, he eventually realized that therapists guide clients even in subtle ways. He also found that clients often do look to their therapists for some type of guidance or direction.

What Are the Key Concepts of Client-Centered Therapy?

Mental health professionals who utilize this approach strive to create the conditions needed for their clients to change. Client-centered therapy involves a therapeutic environment that is conformable, non-judgmental, and empathetic, which is achieved through three features:

By using these three techniques, therapists can help clients grow psychologically, become moreself-aware, and change their behavior via self-direction. In this type of environment, a client feels safe and free from judgment.

“Client” vs. “Patient"Rogers deliberately used the term “client” rather than “patient.” He believed that “patient” implied that the individual was sick and seeking a cure from a therapist.By using “client” instead, Rogers emphasized the importance of the individual in seeking assistance, controlling their destiny, and overcoming their difficulties. This self-direction plays a vital part in client-centered therapy.

“Client” vs. “Patient”

Rogers deliberately used the term “client” rather than “patient.” He believed that “patient” implied that the individual was sick and seeking a cure from a therapist.By using “client” instead, Rogers emphasized the importance of the individual in seeking assistance, controlling their destiny, and overcoming their difficulties. This self-direction plays a vital part in client-centered therapy.

Rogers deliberately used the term “client” rather than “patient.” He believed that “patient” implied that the individual was sick and seeking a cure from a therapist.

By using “client” instead, Rogers emphasized the importance of the individual in seeking assistance, controlling their destiny, and overcoming their difficulties. This self-direction plays a vital part in client-centered therapy.

Genuineness and Congruence

Client-centered therapists display genuineness and congruence with their clients. This means they always act in accordance with their own thoughts and feelings, allowing themselves to share openly and honestly.

This requires self-awareness and a realistic understanding of how internal experiences, like thoughts and feelings, interact with external experiences. By modeling genuineness and congruence, your therapist can help teach you these important skills.

Displaying genuineness and congruence also helps create a secure, trusting relationship between you and your therapist. This trust contributes to a feeling of safety, which may help you engage with therapy more comfortably.

Unconditional Positive Regard

By creating a climate of unconditional positive regard, your therapist may help you feel able to express your true emotions without fear of rejection. This is often an affirming experience, and it may set the stage for you to make positive changes.

The Role of Unconditional Positive Regard

Empathetic Understanding

Your therapist will also practice empathy during sessions, acting as a mirror of your feelings and thoughts. They will seek to understand you and maintain an awareness and sensitivity to your experience and your point of view.

The goal is to help you build a rapport with your therapist and ensure that you feel fully understood. This may provide you with the environment you need to reflect on your own inner thoughts, perceptions, and emotions, which may offer unique insights you didn’t have access to previously.

What to Know About Therapeutic Rapport

What Client-Centered Therapy Can Help With

Client-centered therapy may help people who are experiencing:

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Benefits of Client-Centered Therapy

Client-centered therapy may improve self-concept, which is your organized set of beliefs and ideas about yourself. Self-concept plays an important role in determining not only how people see themselves, but also how they view and interact with the world around them.

Sometimes, self-concept is congruent with reality. In other cases, self-perceptions are unrealistic or not in tune with what exists in the real world. While most people distort reality to at least a small degree, when self-concept is in conflict with reality, incongruence can result.

For example, imagine a young woman who views herself as uninteresting and a poor conversationalist despite the fact that other people find her fascinating and quite engaging. Because her self-perceptions are not congruent with reality, she may experience poor self-esteem.

What Is the Focus of Client-Centered Therapy?Through the process of client-centered therapy, you can learn to adjust your self-concept in order to achieve congruence. The techniques used in the client-centered approach are all focused on helping you reach a more realistic view of yourself and the world.

What Is the Focus of Client-Centered Therapy?

Through the process of client-centered therapy, you can learn to adjust your self-concept in order to achieve congruence. The techniques used in the client-centered approach are all focused on helping you reach a more realistic view of yourself and the world.

What Is Self-Concept?

Several studies have shown that the techniques used in client-centered therapy are beneficial.

It’s not clear if these factors alone are enough to promote lasting change in clients. Outcomes for clients may also depend on their perception of their therapist—if they don’t see their therapist as empathetic, for instance, they may not experience positive results from treatment.

For client-centered therapy to be effective, you need to be willing to share your internal experiences with your therapist without their direct guidance or advice. You will act as an equal partner during therapy, often determining the course of your sessions (though your therapist may also ask questions or seek clarification).

While client-centered therapy can help you gain theself-efficacyneeded to feel comfortable leading the conversation, this may not be the ideal approach for everyone. Some people may find they prefer therapists who are more directive.

How to Get Started With Client-Centered Therapy

Client-centered therapy can be delivered individually or as part ofgroup therapyin both outpatient and inpatient settings. If you’relooking for a therapistnear you, you can ask your primary healthcare provider for recommendations.

During yourfirst session, your therapist will ask about the problems you’re facing and your reasons for seeking treatment. They may also go over how the therapy process works and answer any questions you may have, including those about billing and health insurance.

Throughout treatment, your therapist will encourage you to step into an equal role. They may reflect what you say back to you to make sure they understand the thoughts and feelings you’re expressing. Overall, you’ll be encouraged to explore the issues that are important to you, with your therapist offering support along the way.

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9 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rogers CR.Significant aspects of client-centered therapy.Am Psychol. 1946;1(10):415-22. doi:10.1037/h0060866Moon KA, Rice B.The nondirective attitude in client-centered practice: A few questions.Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies. 2012;11(4):289-303. doi:10.1080/14779757.2012.740322Kolden GG, Wang C-C, Austin SB, Chang Y, Klein MH.Congruence/genuineness: A meta-analysis.Psychotherapy. 2018;55(4):424-433. doi:10.1037/pst0000162Farber BA, Suzuki JY, Lynch DA.Positive regard and psychotherapy outcome: A meta-analytic review.Psychotherapy. 2018;55(4):411-423. doi:10.1037/pst0000171Elliott R, Bohart AC, Watson JC, Murphy D.Therapist empathy and client outcome: An updated meta-analysis.Psychotherapy. 2018;55(4):399-410. doi:10.1037/pst0000175Erekson DM, Lambert MJ.Client-centered therapy. In:The Encyclopedia of Clinical Psychology. John Wiley & Sons; 2015:1-5. doi:10.1002/9781118625392.wbecp073Kim SK, Park M.Effectiveness of person-centered care on people with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Interv Aging. 2017;12:381-397. doi:10.2147/CIA.S117637Cuijpers P, Driessen E, Hollon SD, van Oppen P, Barth J, Andersson G.The efficacy of non-directive supportive therapy for adult depression: A meta-analysis.Clin Psychol Rev. 2012;32(4):280-291. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.01.003McLean CP, Yeh R, Rosenfield D, Foa EB.Changes in negative cognitions mediate PTSD symptom reductions during client-centered therapy and prolonged exposure for adolescents.Behav Res Ther. 2015;68:64-69. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2015.03.008

9 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rogers CR.Significant aspects of client-centered therapy.Am Psychol. 1946;1(10):415-22. doi:10.1037/h0060866Moon KA, Rice B.The nondirective attitude in client-centered practice: A few questions.Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies. 2012;11(4):289-303. doi:10.1080/14779757.2012.740322Kolden GG, Wang C-C, Austin SB, Chang Y, Klein MH.Congruence/genuineness: A meta-analysis.Psychotherapy. 2018;55(4):424-433. doi:10.1037/pst0000162Farber BA, Suzuki JY, Lynch DA.Positive regard and psychotherapy outcome: A meta-analytic review.Psychotherapy. 2018;55(4):411-423. doi:10.1037/pst0000171Elliott R, Bohart AC, Watson JC, Murphy D.Therapist empathy and client outcome: An updated meta-analysis.Psychotherapy. 2018;55(4):399-410. doi:10.1037/pst0000175Erekson DM, Lambert MJ.Client-centered therapy. In:The Encyclopedia of Clinical Psychology. John Wiley & Sons; 2015:1-5. doi:10.1002/9781118625392.wbecp073Kim SK, Park M.Effectiveness of person-centered care on people with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Interv Aging. 2017;12:381-397. doi:10.2147/CIA.S117637Cuijpers P, Driessen E, Hollon SD, van Oppen P, Barth J, Andersson G.The efficacy of non-directive supportive therapy for adult depression: A meta-analysis.Clin Psychol Rev. 2012;32(4):280-291. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.01.003McLean CP, Yeh R, Rosenfield D, Foa EB.Changes in negative cognitions mediate PTSD symptom reductions during client-centered therapy and prolonged exposure for adolescents.Behav Res Ther. 2015;68:64-69. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2015.03.008

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Rogers CR.Significant aspects of client-centered therapy.Am Psychol. 1946;1(10):415-22. doi:10.1037/h0060866Moon KA, Rice B.The nondirective attitude in client-centered practice: A few questions.Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies. 2012;11(4):289-303. doi:10.1080/14779757.2012.740322Kolden GG, Wang C-C, Austin SB, Chang Y, Klein MH.Congruence/genuineness: A meta-analysis.Psychotherapy. 2018;55(4):424-433. doi:10.1037/pst0000162Farber BA, Suzuki JY, Lynch DA.Positive regard and psychotherapy outcome: A meta-analytic review.Psychotherapy. 2018;55(4):411-423. doi:10.1037/pst0000171Elliott R, Bohart AC, Watson JC, Murphy D.Therapist empathy and client outcome: An updated meta-analysis.Psychotherapy. 2018;55(4):399-410. doi:10.1037/pst0000175Erekson DM, Lambert MJ.Client-centered therapy. In:The Encyclopedia of Clinical Psychology. John Wiley & Sons; 2015:1-5. doi:10.1002/9781118625392.wbecp073Kim SK, Park M.Effectiveness of person-centered care on people with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Interv Aging. 2017;12:381-397. doi:10.2147/CIA.S117637Cuijpers P, Driessen E, Hollon SD, van Oppen P, Barth J, Andersson G.The efficacy of non-directive supportive therapy for adult depression: A meta-analysis.Clin Psychol Rev. 2012;32(4):280-291. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.01.003McLean CP, Yeh R, Rosenfield D, Foa EB.Changes in negative cognitions mediate PTSD symptom reductions during client-centered therapy and prolonged exposure for adolescents.Behav Res Ther. 2015;68:64-69. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2015.03.008

Rogers CR.Significant aspects of client-centered therapy.Am Psychol. 1946;1(10):415-22. doi:10.1037/h0060866

Moon KA, Rice B.The nondirective attitude in client-centered practice: A few questions.Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies. 2012;11(4):289-303. doi:10.1080/14779757.2012.740322

Kolden GG, Wang C-C, Austin SB, Chang Y, Klein MH.Congruence/genuineness: A meta-analysis.Psychotherapy. 2018;55(4):424-433. doi:10.1037/pst0000162

Farber BA, Suzuki JY, Lynch DA.Positive regard and psychotherapy outcome: A meta-analytic review.Psychotherapy. 2018;55(4):411-423. doi:10.1037/pst0000171

Elliott R, Bohart AC, Watson JC, Murphy D.Therapist empathy and client outcome: An updated meta-analysis.Psychotherapy. 2018;55(4):399-410. doi:10.1037/pst0000175

Erekson DM, Lambert MJ.Client-centered therapy. In:The Encyclopedia of Clinical Psychology. John Wiley & Sons; 2015:1-5. doi:10.1002/9781118625392.wbecp073

Kim SK, Park M.Effectiveness of person-centered care on people with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Interv Aging. 2017;12:381-397. doi:10.2147/CIA.S117637

Cuijpers P, Driessen E, Hollon SD, van Oppen P, Barth J, Andersson G.The efficacy of non-directive supportive therapy for adult depression: A meta-analysis.Clin Psychol Rev. 2012;32(4):280-291. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.01.003

McLean CP, Yeh R, Rosenfield D, Foa EB.Changes in negative cognitions mediate PTSD symptom reductions during client-centered therapy and prolonged exposure for adolescents.Behav Res Ther. 2015;68:64-69. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2015.03.008

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