Direction in person-centered psychotherapy

Person-centered approaches (PCA) in counseling and psychotherapy have sometimes been described as nondirective. This article describes at least three directional aspects that are inherent in all forms of therapy including PCA. Firstly, there are desired effects or ends toward which therapy is directed. Secondly, there are chosen means intended to realize those ends. Finally, there are therapist responses to facilitate clients’ movement toward chosen ends, which can also contain elements of direction. What therapists choose to ask, reflect, affirm, and include in summaries will influence client in-session responses that in turn affect treatment outcome. Regarding this third directional aspect, Carl Rogers modeled a scientific approach to psychotherapy examining such relationships between therapist responses and client outcomes. More effective therapists combine five PCA-related characteristics – empathy, positive regard, genuineness, acceptance, and hope – with three explicitly directional aspects of practice: having clear shared goals, evoking particular in-session client responses related to outcome, and offering information and advice.