Introduction
Carl Rogers’ approach has obtained popularity as a result of its focus on the therapeutic connection and fundamental elements of congruence, unconditional positive regard, and precise empathic understanding. Nevertheless, his strategy of only offering a relationship in which the circumstances are present raises concerns ethically and professionally. The idea that the therapist can at all times show their client’s unconditional positive regard is one potential issue with this approach. In addition, it is likely for therapists to grow closer to their patients, which could result in less professional boundaries and probable ethical transgressions.
The importance of the client-therapist connection may be overemphasized to the detriment of other essential elements of the client’s well-being. There is a chance that therapy may lack direction or structure due to the emphasis on the therapeutic connection. The paper concentrates on analyzing these problems and provides a critical evaluation of Rogers’ methodology.
Analysis of Rogers’ Approach
Among the essential individuals in the field of psychology is Carl Rogers, creator of the Person-Centered Therapy approach of psychotherapy. The fundamental tenet of the theory is that people possess a natural tendency to progress toward personal development and self-actualization, and this can be helped by creating a nurturing therapeutic environment (Crisp, 2022). According to him, the therapist’s capacity to offer the three fundamental conditions of congruence, unconditional positive regard, and accurate empathic understanding is what matters most in fostering such an environment.
Congruence
Congruence refers to the capacity of the therapist, to be honest and transparent in their conversation with the client. According to Rogers, this requirement is needed to establish a secure and trusting surrounding where a patient can freely express their thoughts and emotions without fear of being rejected or judged (Crisp, 2022). A study supports the idea that the therapist’s authenticity correlates with the therapeutic outcomes (Crisp, 2022).
For instance, some researchers discovered that better therapeutic alliance, client satisfaction, and treatment outcomes are greatly correlated with therapist authenticity (Crisp, 2022). In addition, another study found that clients reported more improvement in their indications when they believed their therapist to be genuine as opposed to those who did not (Hayden & Osborn, 2020).
Unconditional Positive Regard
Another component of Rogers’ approach is unconditional positive regard (UPR), which is the therapist’s capacity to welcome the patient without qualification or condition. The UPR is critical for promoting a safe therapeutic atmosphere in which clients can freely express their feelings and thoughts without the worry of rejection or disapproval. Studies show that this condition is legitimate and real (Hayden & Osborn, 2020).
According to the same research, clients who view their therapist as offering UPR are more likely to report an enhancement in their symptoms (Deygout & Auburtin, 2020). Additionally, a study by Tudor and Rodgers (2021) found that UPR with a therapist is connected to improved results in the treatment of depression. Correct empathic understanding, which pertains to the professional’s capacity to understand the client’s perception and to relay that comprehension to the client, is the third important component of PCT.
A therapeutic setting that fosters personal development and self-actualization must be established with correct empathic comprehension. Study shows that this condition exists. For instance, Tsuruhara and Cremin (2019) found that patients who view their therapist as empathic are more likely to report enhancement in their symptoms. A therapist is significantly linked to better therapeutic outcomes, as suggested by Deygout and Auburtin (2020). In addition, empathy in the therapist is connected to better results in treating anxiety conditions.
Possible Professional and Ethical Issues with Rogers’ Approach
Impossibility of Unconditional Favorable Regard
There are a number of potential professional and ethical issues with Carl Rogers’ person-centered therapy, despite the fact that it is generally acknowledged as a legitimate therapeutic approach. The notion that the therapist is always able to show their clients unconditional favorable regard is one potential problem (Joseph, 2020). Although it is crucial for therapists to build a strong therapeutic connection with their patients, it is unrealistic to expect therapists to always act in a forgiving and encouraging manner toward their patients (Joseph, 2020). It may be difficult for therapists to give clients unconditional positive regard when they question their values and beliefs or exhibit behaviors that they find difficult to accept (Satti et al., 2021). Therapists must be able to identify their own prejudices and constraints and deal with them effectively.
Therapist-Patient Attachment
Another problem is the possibility of therapists becoming attached to their patients as a result of the close bonds made during treatment. If the therapist’s attachment to the client grows strong enough that it interferes with their ability to uphold healthy limits or make unbiased therapeutic decisions, this can be especially problematic (Langs, 2017). The therapist may occasionally be tempted to prioritize the needs of the patient over their needs or the needs of other patients, which could result in ethical lapses or conflicts of interest (Langs, 2017). It is critical for therapists to keep a professional distance from their patients in order to prevent forming an emotional bond that might jeopardize their ability to deliver effective care.
Unrecognized Patient Issues
Furthermore, person-centered therapy’s focus on the therapist-client connection may cause it to be neglected in favor of other crucial aspects that could have an impact on the client’s well-being. For instance, the therapist might fail to recognize how societal and environmental issues like poverty or discrimination play a part in the client’s problems (Liao et al., 2022). The therapist might miss the systemic problems that could be causing the client’s problems if they only concentrate on the therapeutic connection (Liao et al., 2022). This might lead to a lack of comprehensive care that neglects to handle all the elements that contribute to the client’s issues.
Therapist’s Excessive Influence on Patient
The potential for the therapist to force their values or beliefs on the client may present another ethical dilemma with Rogers’ method. Therapists must cultivate a supportive and nonjudgmental relationship with their patients, but they must also be conscious of their values and biases and strive to avoid imposing them on their patients (Langs, 2017). It may unintentionally damage the therapeutic relationship and be challenging for the client to feel heard and understood if the therapist has deeply held views that are at odds with those of the client.
Unsystematic Therapy
Finally, there is a chance that therapy may lack structure or direction as a result of the emphasis on the therapist-client connection. Congruence, unconditional positive regard, and accurate empathic comprehension are the three fundamental prerequisites for creating a fruitful therapeutic relationship (Barth & Scholl, 2021). However, as suggested by Barth and Scholl (2021), they are not adequate by themselves. In order to assist clients in achieving particular aims or objectives, therapists must be able to provide structure and direction (Barth & Scholl, 2021). Without it, clients might experience irritation or disillusionment since they might think that therapy is pointless or lacking in purpose.
Conclusion
There are various benefits to Carl Rogers’ person-centered therapy approach. However, it is important to note any possible professional or ethical issues. The therapist must know their personal biases and limitations, uphold healthy limits, refrain from imposing their values on clients, and give comprehensive care that deals with every issue that is caused by the patient’s problems. By doing this, clinicians can deliver efficient and moral care that fosters the patients’ wellness. Without this, a client might experience disillusionment or irritation since they might think that therapy lacks purpose.
In addition, a therapist needs to be conscious of the likelihood of growing a closer attachment to their clients, which could lead to a lack of ethical limits and possible professional misconduct. Furthermore, they must understand their prejudices and constraints and make an effort to refrain from applying them in their practice.
In order to successfully treat the patient’s problems, a therapist must be aware of the environmental and social factors that may be involved. If this is not accomplished, the client may fail to get a detailed or proper therapy that addresses each of the root causes of their issues. If such continues to be witnessed, it means that the field of therapy will ultimately suffer. The professionals, those aspiring to be therapists, and the patients would all face problems. It is important to support initiatives that only help in the advancement of a field and not its decline.
References
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Hayden, S. C., & Osborn, D. S. (2020). Using experiential learning theory to train career practitioners. Journal of employment counseling, 57(1), 2-13. Web.
Joseph, S. (2020). Why we need a more humanistic positive organizational scholarship: Carl Rogers’ person-centered approach as a challenge to neoliberalism. The Humanistic Psychologist, 48(3), 271-272. Web.
Langs, R. (2017). Fundamentals of Adaptive Psychotherapy and Counselling: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. Bloomsbury Academic.
Liao, F., Murphy, D., Wu, J. C., Chen, C. Y., Chang, C. C., & Tsai, P. F. (2022). How technology-enhanced experiential e-learning can facilitate the development of person-centred communication skills online for health-care students: a qualitative study. BMC Medical Education, 22(1), 1-9. Web.
Satti, M. K., Ali, M. A., & Khan, M. (2021). Ideas on Personality: A Contrastive Analysis between Iqbal & Carl Rogers. Bahria Journal of Professional Psychology, 20(2), 1-17.
Tsuruhara, T., & Cremin, H. (2019). Understanding conflict transformation dialogue through coding based on Buber and Rogers. In The Routledge International Handbook of Research on Dialogic Education (pp. 610-621). Routledge.
Tudor, K., & Rodgers, B. (2021). The person-centered approach in Aotearoa New Zealand: A critical examination of a settler psychology. Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies, 20(1), 84-101. Web.