Person Centered Chapter 7 Answer: All Parts Of The Quest
Person Centered Chapter 7 Answer All Parts Of The Quest
Explain the concept, "actualization tendency." How does the actualization tendency influence the practice of Person-Centered Therapy? Make sure to make reference to the text to support your points.
Put yourself in the place of a client and think of a particular problem you might have that involves some form of fear or avoidance. As the client, would you want your therapist to use in vivo (gradual) exposure OR flooding to treat the fear? Identify the fear. Select a treatment (exposure or flooding). Explain the specific steps to applying the treatment. Explain why you selected the particular method of treatment over the other option.
Paper For Above instruction
The concept of the "actualization tendency" is central to Carl Rogers' humanistic approach to psychotherapy, particularly within the framework of person-centered therapy. It refers to the innate drive within every individual to develop their potential fully, grow in a positive direction, and become the best version of themselves. According to Rogers (1951), this tendency is a natural, automatic process that propels individuals toward growth and self-actualization, provided they are in a supportive environment that offers acceptance and understanding. This intrinsic motivation acts as the foundational force shaping human behavior and development, with the potential to lead to psychological health and self-fulfillment.
In person-centered therapy, the actualization tendency significantly influences the therapeutic process. Therapists who adopt this approach do not aim to direct or manipulate clients but create a safe, accepting space where clients can access their inner resources and facilitate their natural growth. The therapist's role is to provide unconditional positive regard and empathy, allowing clients to explore their feelings and experiences freely. By fostering this environment, the therapist enables the client's actualization tendency to emerge and guide them toward self-awareness, self-acceptance, and personal growth (Rogers, 1959). The focus remains on the client's internal drive to become their authentic self, with therapy serving as a facilitator rather than an authority who 'fixes' the client. This perspective underscores the belief that individuals possess the inherent capacity for self-healing and growth, which can be unlocked through supportive therapeutic relationships.
The actualization tendency thus underpins the core philosophy of person-centered therapy, emphasizing respect for the individual's innate potential. It influences the therapeutic interventions by shifting the focus from techniques or problems to fostering an environment where clients can trust their inner resources, access their feelings honestly, and make authentic choices. Consequently, therapy becomes a process of self-discovery and experiential growth rooted in the client's natural propensity toward self-improvement. This approach aligns with Rogers' humanistic belief that individuals are inherently worth of respect and capable of growth when provided with the right conditions (Rogers, 1961).
References
- Rogers, C. R. (1951). Client-Centered Therapy. Houghton Mifflin.
- Rogers, C. R. (1959). A theory of therapy, personality, and interpersonal relationships as developed in the client-centered framework. In S. Koch (Ed.), Psychology: A study of a science (Vol. 3). McGraw-Hill.
- Rogers, C. R. (1961). On becoming a person: A therapist's view of psychotherapy. Houghton Mifflin.
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- Maslow, A. H. (1968). Toward a psychology of being. Van Nostrand Reinhold.
- Schneider, K. J., & Krug, S. E. (2010). Existential-Humanistic Therapy. John Wiley & Sons.