This week’s discussion is surrounded around Carl Rogers and his Patient-Centered approach to therapy.
• Consider the foundational aspects of this therapeutic modality, unconditional positive regard, as well as authentic and genuine presence. • What aspects of this therapy modality are appealing to you or not appealing to you? • Do you see any correlations between this therapy modality and the nursing care that you have provided for years?
Responses need to address all components of the question, demonstrate critical thinking and analysis and include peer-reviewed journal evidence to support the student’s position.
Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with in-text citations and corresponding references in APA format.
Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets the criteria.
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Carl Rogers’ Patient-Centered approach to therapy is based on the belief that the client is the expert in their own experience and that the therapist’s role is to create a supportive and non-judgmental environment for the client to explore and process their feelings and thoughts. This approach is characterized by three core conditions: unconditional positive regard, authentic and genuine presence, and empathetic understanding.
Unconditional positive regard refers to the therapist’s non-judgmental and accepting attitude towards the client, regardless of their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. This creates a safe and accepting environment for the client to express themselves freely and helps to build a therapeutic alliance.
Authentic and genuine presence refers to the therapist being fully present and engaged with the client, without distraction or judgment. This helps to create a strong therapeutic relationship, where the client feels heard and understood.
Empathic understanding refers to the therapist’s ability to understand and see the world from the client’s perspective, without imposing their own beliefs or values. This helps to build trust and rapport between the therapist and client, and supports the client in exploring their thoughts and feelings more deeply.
I find the Patient-Centered approach appealing as it puts the client at the center of the therapeutic process and recognizes the client’s autonomy and agency in their own healing journey. I also appreciate the focus on creating a safe and non-judgmental environment, which can be incredibly beneficial for clients who may have experienced trauma or negative experiences in their lives.
In regards to correlations between this therapy modality and nursing care, I see similarities in the focus on creating a therapeutic relationship and providing a supportive and non-judgmental environment for the client. Both modalities prioritize the client’s autonomy and agency, and recognize the importance of building trust and rapport to facilitate healing and growth.
In conclusion, Carl Rogers’ Patient-Centered approach to therapy is a client-centered and empathetic approach that prioritizes creating a safe and non-judgmental environment for the client to explore and process their thoughts and feelings. This approach has many appealing aspects, including its focus on the client’s autonomy and agency, and has similarities with nursing care.
References:
Cooper, M. (2015). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: Systems, strategies, and skills. Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
Hikal, E. A., Baddar, F. M., & Khalifa, S. M. (2022). Relationship between Patient Centered Care, and Empathy among Nursing Students at Alexandria Technical Health Institute. Alexandria Scientific Nursing Journal, 24(3), 87-98.
Jost, A. M., & Janicka, A. (2020). Patient-centered care: Providing safe spaces in behavioral health settings. Pediatric Gender Identity: Gender-affirming Care for Transgender & Gender Diverse Youth, 101-109.
Braillon, A. (2020). Lung cancer screening: No shared decision-making when overlooking Carl Rogers. Chest, 158(4), 1795-1796.
Mitchell, P., Cribb, A., & Entwistle, V. (2023). A wide vocabulary for person-centred care. Future Healthc J.
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Study Notes:
The following are some modern day examples of Carl Rogers’ patient-centered approach to therapy, based on sources from the American Psychological Association (APA):
Empathy: Therapists using the patient-centered approach focus on developing empathetic relationships with their clients. They aim to understand the client’s experiences and perspectives, rather than imposing their own interpretations.
Unconditional Positive Regard: In this approach, therapists offer their clients non-judgmental support and acceptance, regardless of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This creates a safe and supportive therapeutic environment where clients can freely express themselves.
Congruence: Therapists who employ the patient-centered approach strive to be transparent and authentic with their clients. They aim to align their words, thoughts, and actions, creating a genuine therapeutic relationship.
Active Listening: In this approach, therapists actively listen to their clients, giving them the time and space to explore and express their thoughts and feelings. They also reflect on what their clients are saying, helping them to gain a deeper understanding of themselves.
Personal Growth: The patient-centered approach views therapy as a collaborative process, where clients and therapists work together to help clients achieve their goals. The focus is on promoting personal growth and self-awareness, rather than fixing problems.
These are some of the key principles of Carl Rogers’ patient-centered approach to therapy that are still in use today. By adopting these principles, modern-day therapists aim to create a safe, supportive, and empowering therapeutic environment for their clients.
