PERSON CENTERED THEORY AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR COUNSELING PRACTICE AND TEACHING

Joseph A Campbell

doi:10.52553/10002e

Abstract

This article reviews person centered theory and the core conditions: congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathy. The discussion explores considerations for practice including effectiveness, communication of the condition, and the multicultural considerations of the theory. Additionally, cultural considerations are presented with regards to the values of person centered theory, pedagogy, and additional limitations.

Highlights

This article reviews person centered theory and the core conditions: congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathy
Research on the theory’s core conditions, limitations, and multicultural considerations are integral to its use and role in counselor practice
A discussion of research on multicultural considerations and implications practicing from a person centered theory, including the individualistic and non-directedness value, pedagogy and multicultural education, and limitations of person centered theory

Summary

The Core Conditions

The core conditions of congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathy promote client personality change, through innate self-actualizing tendencies. Communicating unconditional positive regard can be done by withholding direct responses to requests for advice and by respecting the client’s ability to come to a decision (Wickman & Campbell, 2003), which is a fundamental belief of human nature in person centered theory: trust in the person (Rogers, 1961). Focus, and type of researcher (e.g., psychoanalytic, developmental, or social psychologist), empathy has been operationally defined as different constructs: (a) a personality trait or general ability to know another person’s inner experience or perceive their emotions; (b) a situational specific cognitive-affective state which is responding or sensing the client’s private world as if it were one’s own; and (c) as a multiphase experiential process considering the moment-to-moment experience of empathy and examine the process involved in producing and communicating an empathic state (Duan & Hill, 1996). Empathy and the other core conditions, as well as the overall theory, have mixed findings of outcomes, the theory holds promise and limitations with respect to multicultural counseling, implication, and considerations

Multicultural Implications and Considerations

Findings

Discussion