„It is the relationship that heals.”
Carl R. Rogers
Client-centred conversation was developed by the psychologist Carl R. Rogers in the USA. Rogers started from a humanistic view of human being. This means that people carry their solution within themselves and have the ability to solve their problems themselves. The human being is viewed holistically: Thinking, feeling and the body are not separated from each other, but are an interplay of everything.
BASIC ATTITUDE OF THE THERAPIST
Conversation according to Rogers is a certain basic attitude that the therapist adopts. It is about authenticity, unconditional appreciation and empathic understanding, which I would like to explain to you in more detail: Let’s say you are in a new city, you are unsure and don’t really know where you want to go. I am always by your side and accompany you. When you come to me, you only tell me what is important to you. I sit opposite you as a human being with my own feelings, do not hide behind the “therapist mask” and listen to you. I accept you as you are, without judging you.
YOU BRING YOUR SOLUTION
During our conversations together you will learn more and more to formulate your wishes and needs more clearly. You will realise that your symptom such as depression or anxiety is a protective function. In between, I will respectfully confront you with my perspective, such as noticing that you smile away sad issues.
I will not give you advice or solutions within the therapy, but I am not passive. Because I am convinced that you are your own expert, even if it is difficult for you at the moment.
TALK THERAPY AND HYPNOSIS
If you are not sure what you are feeling or why, I offer you ways to feel yourself again. You simply close your eyes and tell me what is bothering you. You focus on your physical perceptions and breathing. Perhaps you feel a lump in your throat, which you keep noticing until it dissolves. Here, direct hypnotherapy can be applied during the conversation. Then the next time you are in the same situation without the lump you can react more intuitively and simply express your anger.
RISKS OF TALK THERAPY
As with any psychotherapy, talk therapy can make things worse in some cases, or symptoms may not improve.
How therapy develops depends very much on the relationship between therapist and client. It is important that the client has trust in the therapist. If not, a change of therapist is advisable.
Talk therapy is not suitable for everyone. It will not succeed if the client has difficulty reflecting or accepting the therapist’s offer of a relationship. People who need stronger guidance may do better with behavioural therapy techniques.
LITERATURE
1. Praxis der Personenzentrierten Psychotherapie by Gerhard Stumm und Wolfgang Keil
2. Klientenzentrierte Gesprächsführung: Lern- und Praxisanleitung für psychosoziale Berufe by Sabine Weinberger
CARL R. ROGERS’ way of working
YouTube – Carl Rogers whith Richie
YouTube – Carl Rogers whith Gloria