The key concepts of a person-centered therapy or patient-centered approach are harnessing empathetic, non-directive, and empowering measures. In other words, a therapist avoids fostering dependency and educating a client (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2018). The video presents the case where the individual has major issues in regards to his self-worth and space for himself. Therefore, the entire session is based on supportive measures, where the person is put at the very center of the interactions. In addition, it is important to note that listening plays a critical role in ensuring that the given client is able to be fully expressive and elaborative on his problems.
It is important to note that the demonstration utilizes a wide range of techniques, which are derived from the core concepts of the patient-centered theory. These include walking within, reflective listening for both feelings and content, and core conditions evaluation, where the latter involves accurate empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence (“Video 5.1 Person-centered theory,” n.d.). The predicted outcome is the notion that the client is able to fully and freely express himself with no interruptions and confrontations as in the existential approach. The session revolves around listening measures, where the client is heard on both his emotions and the context of his life. In other words, there is an environment where complete support and reflection are put in place.
One should note that the therapist’s role in the video is centered around the client. It is important to point out that the therapist does not strive to provide education for the person, and she does not seek to create dependency, which might result in one becoming the object of love (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2018). Therefore, the client is able to experience the present moment within the session without any distractions of the past or future. The therapist focuses on listening and reflecting on the information provided by the client himself rather than imposing her own ideas on a person. She cleverly navigates the discussion and communication without any precise form of direction, which means that non-directive measures are taken.
The content of the presentation case can be synthesized as an apparent treatment plan by focusing on listening and reflecting on a patient’s needs. In other words, a client is allowed to take over the conversation, where he or she fully expresses his or her views, beliefs, opinions, and conclusions. The plan needs to be centered around a person, where the latter is free to communicate his or her thoughts without any directive or instructive interventions from the therapist. Thus, such an approach is based on a treatment plan, which is supportive of a client without any imposed conditions. A client might express himself or herself in a confusing or unclear manner, but these factors are not relevant since the emphasis is put on the person rather than an issue or subject.
In conclusion, the key concepts that might work best for me are accentuated on empowerment, where a client receives complete support rather than instructions. My approach can be manifested in the notion of listening techniques, where I am removing any conditions for my empathy for a client. The goal of my counseling can include being fully open to my client, where they develop trust towards me. The most critical technique for my practice is unconditional positive regard, where no specific set of rules are introduced.
References
Sommers-Flanagan, J. & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2018). Counseling and psychotherapy theories in context and practice: Skills, strategies, and techniques (3rd ed.). John Wiley and Sons.
Video 5.1 Person-centered theory [Video]. (n.d.). Web.