Person-Centered (Rogerian)

The single most influential instruction manual on how to show up in therapy.

Person-centered therapy (by Carl Rogers) emphasizes the therapist's unconditional positive regard, empathy, and genuineness towards the client. In this therapeutic modality, clients are encouraged to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a nonjudgmental environment. The focus is on empowering clients to develop self-awareness, self-acceptance, and a deeper understanding of themselves. Clients often experience a sense of validation, increased self-esteem, and insight.

I believe a person-centered approach is at the core of all counseling. Through coursework, I studied Rogerian therapy and incorporate these principles into every client session.

Carl Rogers and the person-centered tradition are my "home" as a therapist. My master's thesis in Counseling Psychology was on ways in which Rogers' psychotherapeutic theory overlaps with or nuances current claims within psychology, neuroscience, and the humanities about "affect theory." I identify as a person-centered therapist, and view Rogers' claims as being a helpful starting point for psychotherapeutic practice.

Carl Rogers, the founder of Person Centered psychotherapy believed that the most important aspect of the therapeutic process was the relationship between the client and the therapist. I hold this belief as well and have found that the best outcomes are arrived when a person feels heard, understood and supported in their process for working on difficult problems and finding meaning. Without this, other therapy models are just tasks.

I have received extensive training and certification, as well as continued education credits in person-centered therapy.

Utilizing unconditional positive regard, I help to create a safe space for clients. I work to de-pathologize the clients and view them as fellow human beings. I help clients feel safe to explore their marginalized identities. Empathy is a primary aspect of person-centered, and creating an authentic relationship with clients can be a powerful space for healing.

I prefer an egalitarian approach where you and I create a space together that allows for open, honest communication, exploration and understanding.

The relationship between client and therapist is crucial for seeing positive outcomes in therapy. I use empathy regularly in sessions by understanding your perspective and the decisions you have made. I am not here to tell you what is wrong with you or blame you for your choices. I am fully present in sessions to remind you that despite any flaws you may have, you are still worthy of fulfillment.

The therapeutic process itself, for me, is person-centered. I meet all of my clients with unconditional positive regard and I want my clients to feel heard and accepted. Anything goes in the therapeutic space, so come as you are and we will process everything in the here and now, together.

Person-Centered therapy is a type of therapy that aims to help clients develop a greater sense of self-awareness and self-esteem. The therapist works with clients to identify and build upon their existing strengths and resources, while also providing guidance and support to navigate challenging situations. This approach can be particularly helpful for individuals struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression.

I believe in my clients being the true experts of themselves. I act as a guide at times, as a curious interpreter at other times, and as a container to explore and process whatever you need at all times. We work together as collaborators in your treatment plan.

Person-centered therapy is simply that- person centered. This means that I believe you know yourself best and you know what you want your life to look like. I look at the role of the therapist as a person simply viewing your life-path and helping you use the tools to decide what routes feel best for you.

A client-centered approach was integral to my early training as a counselor for women in the battered women's shelter and rape crisis programs I worked in at the beginning of my career. This approach involves unconditional positive regard for the client and active listening. All of this came quite natural to me. This can be a very warm and compassionate approach. It is far from the only tool in my tool box but it is fundamental.

Accepting yourself as you are and embracing your inherent worthiness are foundational to sustainable change. I will model this welcoming stance during our sessions. I will also be putting you in the driver's seat of your own treatment. While I can offer perspective and information, this is ultimately a collaborative process. You choose how treatment is structured.

I use a mix of approaches. Because each client is unique, and every situation is different I like to build rapport with a person-centered approach. This allows us to become comfortable with one another and the client can get an idea of my style to see if they feel that I am someone they can work with. I believe that each of us is the expert in our own life and so using a narrative approach can be very helpful.