Psychologicky zdravé osoby sú muži a ženy, ktorí mali to šťastie, že mali okolo seba ľudí, ktorých akceptovanie a uznanie im dalo možnosť vytvoriť si seba-obraz, ktorý im umožnil byť aspoň na určitý čas v kontakte so svojimi najhlbšími pocitmi a zážitkami prýštiacimi z organizmového ja. Nie sú odrezaní od základu svojho bytia a majú dobrú východziu polohu, aby mohli napredovať a stať sa tým, čo Rogers nazýval „plne fungujúci“ človek. Takí ľudia sú otvorení voči prežívaniu bez toho, aby sa cítili ohrození a potom sú aj schopní počúvať samých seba a ostatných. Dobre si uvedomujú svoje pocity a pocity iných, majú schopnosť žiť v prítomnej chvíli. A čo je najdôležitejšie, prejavujú dôveru v „ja“ organizmu, čo zreteľne chýba tým, ktorí musia sústavne zápasiť s nepriaznivým hodnotením iných ľudí. Taká dôvera je najviditeľnejšia v procese rozhodovania a v uvedomovaní a vyjadrovaní súčasných myšlienok a pocitov. Namiesto zúfalého hľadania vonkajšieho vedenia alebo prežívania vnútorného zmätku či prázdnoty, má plne fungujúci človek svoj zdroj múdrosti hlboko v sebe a je pre neho dosiahnuteľný. Rogers nazýval tento prameň vnútorné miesto alebo centrum hodnotenia a pre poradkyňu je jedným z najvýznamnejších bodov terapie práve ten moment, keď si klient uvedomí tento oporný bod v sebe, azda po prvýkrát.
A very clearly written description with numerous, helpful, real-world examples of the application of person-centred principles in counselling. I found the book both illuminating and inspiring.
This was the first book I read on any kind of counselling or psychotherapy. I had been learning about PCC (as well as CBT and psychodynamic therapies) in an introductory counselling course and I felt that the course was enough of an introduction for me to get in to this book.
The examples were all real, which prevented any sense of contrivance in the writing. I think this was why I felt very much immersed while reading it. A few examples were (for comparison) of naive responses from therapists and I found those very helpful too.
The only part of the book that I did not find easily digestible was an early chapter on configurations. It sounded like the information in that chapter had emerged from relatively recent research and was therefore not something I had learnt about.
A gem of a book, I've read it in virtually no time and will definitely get my own copy after returning the library one, just to be able to revisit it now and then. Truly recommend.
A fantastic book for all counselling students! My teacher said that it's a must read for students and I completely agree. :) I particular loved listening to the examples of counselling sessions!
An important and useful text, but I felt that I got more from 'Working At Relational Depth' than this. Still though, a must for any trainee counsellor looking to develop a good understanding of PCT. Also, the central case study is both incredibly moving and powerful, and makes the book something even more than just a study of PCT.
This was recommended reading for me both through my university work and my charity counselling-training, and I am really glad I actually took the time to read it properly rather than skimming it as “another person-centred text”.
There is far more depth to person-centred counselling here than it is often given credit for. Concepts like empathy, acceptance and congruence can sometimes be presented as quite basic or obvious, but this book makes it clear how demanding and skilful they really are in practice. It challenged the idea that person-centred work is just being supportive or nice.
The explanations are clear, grounded in real examples, and easy to follow, which made it much easier to connect the theory to actual practice. It also helped me think more carefully about how people communicate distress. Many people are struggling or experiencing depression without fully recognising it themselves, and this book highlights how change can only really happen when the person is ready and feels genuinely understood.
It is not a flashy 'self-help' book, but as a foundation text that feels like a strength rather than a weakness. It has made me reflect quite a lot and deepened both my understanding of counselling relationships and my awareness of myself.
Really helpful, I’d say essential reading for any person centred trainee. It presents the theory in a super accessible, easy to understand way, and makes it feel easy to apply as well. Of course it’s old and nothing radical but as a pure foundation to learn it’s a really good resource.
This is a really well paced book giving an overview of the theory, application and research examples of the core conditions. There are some useful questions in the appendix too. As someone who finds Rogers very wordy, I really warm to Mearns & Thorne’s simple style.
One of the most useful books I've read about person-centred counselling. Was incredibly useful during my BA degree, would recommend to current & future counselling students.
I remain convinced that PC is a great starting point but just not enough alone. I thought the thoughts on integrative practice were really interesting.
As someone who is only just starting to learn about counselling, I thought this book did an excellent job of explaining the guiding principles of the person-centred approach without ever being too academic or difficult to understand. I loved the examples of counsellor-client interactions given throughout the book and the case study in the final chapters because they made it easy to see how the ideas in the book are applied in real life, not just in an idealised version of real life where everything goes according to a straightforward script (as is sometimes the case in "practical" examples in other books)!
This is my favourite book for Person-centred Counselling and should be a must read for psychotherapy students. The book is easy to read and very enjoyable, it explains complex ideas and situations that one may encounter in therapy. It had great snippets from clients of the authors and the most wholesome examples.
currently reading.....excellent for dipping in and out of for specific information about Person Centred Counselling, but also an interesting read chapter-by-chapter. Really helpful in developing an understanding of not only how this approach works, but also a greater understanding of the Self.