Person-Centered Therapy

Words: 2708
Pages: 11

This essay serves to analyse how person-centred therapy, an approach in psychotherapeutic interventions, can be applied to the given problem in the South African context as well as how it will be addressed. In order to dissect this case, a particular model will be adopted that will address the image of the person, the psychological disturbance, tools that will be used for assessment, the formulation of the case and as well as the therapeutic goals. One will also notice the particular theoretical framework that is used as well as the techniques and skills needed to address the problem at hand. Lastly, our attention will be drawn to multiculturalism and counselling in relation to this case.
It is imperative to briefly look at person-centred
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A psychological disturbance is initiated when the individual’s environment has a negative effect on their self-concept (Mulhauser, 2014). These psychological disturbances have said to continue for as long as the individual seeks positive judgements from those around him/her (Mulhauser, 2014). Due to the fact that Angela is only 14 years of age, she is more than likely dependent on the approval of others such as her family in Shoshanguve and her ancestors whom play a significant role in contributing to her emotional difficulties. Person-centred therapy’s approach to psychological disturbances is simplified into three concepts (Worrall, 2014). The first concept focuses on the individual’s condition of worth, which is the first vital factor to consider when dealing with a specific problem, in this case emotional difficulties. It is imperative to note that if we live in order to meet the expectations of others, it is inevitable that a psychological disturbance will arise (Worrall, 2014). Angela may have been too dependent on the judgements and views of those around her that her condition of worth was impacted negatively and therefore gave rise to her emotional problems. The second concept is incongruence which arises when there is a conflict between the way the self is perceived and the experience of the individual (Rodgers, 1959 as cited in Worrall, 2014). The third concept is locus of evaluation which is a term used by Rodgers to explain how we internalise the opinions of others and how that will create a risk for a psychological disturbance (Worrall, 2014). Although person/client-centred therapy believes that everyone is born congruent, if one were to internalise conditions of worth that the individual believes to be true and develop a self-concept which opens the possibility of