Application

To prepare for this assignment:

Review, if necessary, and then evaluate the basic tenets of person-centered theory.
Review the “Existential” and “Rogerian/Client-Centered” videos from Counseling and psychotherapy theories in context and practice: Skills, strategies, and techniques. Pay particular attention to the psychologist and client interactions.
Review prior weeks and assignments regarding psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral theories. Focus on how psychologists and clients interact.
Think about the similarities and differences between the three theories (person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic) with respect to how client problems arise and how people change. Consider your own perspectives on these issues.

The assignment: (4–6 pages)

Briefly describe and evaluate two of the basic tenets of person-centered theory.
Compare (similarities and differences) among person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic theories with respect to how client problems arise and how people change.
Analyze this information with respect to your beliefs about how problems arise and how people change. Explain the affect that person-centered theory has had on your own theoretical orientation.
Outline your thoughts on how your theoretical orientation has evolved and identify which of the three theories (person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic) best resonates with you and why.

References:

Article: Cain, D. J. (2007). What every therapist should know, be and do: Contributions from humanistic psychotherapies. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 37(1), 3–10.
Article: Elliott, R., & Freire, E. (2007). Classical person-centered and experiential perspectives on Rogers (1957). Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 44(3), 285–288.
Article: Motschnig, R., & Nykl, L. (2003). Toward a cognitive-emotional model of Rogers’s person-centered approach. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 43(4), 8–4 5.

Media

Videos: Sommers-Flanagan, J., & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2017). Counseling and psychotherapy theories in context and practice: Skills, strategies, and techniques. Retrieved from: http://www.psychotherapy.net.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/stream/waldenu/video?vid=277

Optional Resources

Course Text: Current Psychotherapies
- Chapter 5, “Client-Centered Therapy”
Book: Rogers, C. R. (1961). On becoming a person: A therapist’s view of psychotherapy. New York: Houghton Mifflin Co.
Book: Rogers, C. R. (1980). A way of being. New York: Houghton Mifflin Co.
Book: Rogers, C. R. (2003). Client-centered therapy. London: Constable.