Back to the Client: A phenomenological approach to the process of understanding and diagnosis.

Schmid, P. - Institute for Person-Centered Studies, Vienna; University of Graz, Austria; Saybrook Graduate School, San Francisco

Article | From volume/issue: 3.1 | Pages: 36–51

Keywords: becoming a person, alienation, encounter, process-specificity, disorder-specificity, diagnosis, person-centered therapy

Abstract: The author describes the conceptual–scientific development of classic CCT into a new therapy form that he terms clarification-oriented psychotherapy, to emphasize the importance of clarification processes. He thus proposes a change of paradigms from a primarily relationship-oriented, less directive psychotherapy to a primarily process-directive psychotherapy involving explication processes. The paper criticizes the still-common classic form of CCT as being conceptually obsolete and to a great extent empirically falsified.

Being and Doing: Person-centeredness, process guidance and differential treatment.

Greenberg. L..S. - York University, Toronto, Canada

Article | From volume/issue: 3.1 | Pages: 52-64

Keywords: relationship, process-guidance, differential treatment

Abstract: In this paper I describe key aspects of both person-centered and process-differentiation or process-experiential approaches and suggest that they can exist in a harmonious relationship, each complementing the other. I point to the difference hinging on the intention of the therapist, rather than the therapist’s actions per se. I then discuss some pertinent research findings, from the York Psychotherapy of Depression Project, which explore the effects of the offer of a relationship and the effects of the addition to the relationship of the facilitation of specific processes. Next, I touch on the importance of the development of differential treatment and the use of process diagnosis, as well as process guidance, in this endeavor. Finally, I argue for the importance of a differential focus in facilitating the processing of emotion, and present three empirically supported principles of an emotion-focused form of treatment: Emotion Awareness, Emotion Regulation, and Emotion Transformation.

Book review

Book Review : Catherine Iseli, Wolfgang W.Keil, Lore Korbei, Nora Nemeskeri, Silvia Rasch-Oswald, Peter F.Schmid & Paulus G.Wacker (eds.): Identität — Begegnung — Kooperation: Person-/Klientenzentrierte Psychotherapie und Beratung an der Jahrhundertwende

Spielhofer, H.

Review | From volume/issue: 3.1 | Pages:

Book review

Book Review : Mick Cooper: Existential Therapies.

Stumm, G.

Review | From volume/issue: 3.1 | Pages:

Book review

Book Review : Richard Bryant-Jeffries: Problem Drinking: A person-centered dialogue.

Schlebusch, P.

Review | From volume/issue: 3.1 | Pages:

From Client-centered to Clarification-oriented Psychotherapy.

Sachse, R. - Ruhr-Universität, Bochum, Germany

Article | From volume/issue: 3.1 | Pages: 19–35

Keywords: client-centered therapy, empirical results, paradigm shift, clarification-oriented psychotherapy

Abstract: The author describes the conceptual–scientific development of classic CCT into a new therapy form that he terms clarification-oriented psychotherapy, to emphasize the importance of clarification processes. He thus proposes a change of paradigms from a primarily relationship-oriented, less directive psychotherapy to a primarily process-directive psychotherapy involving explication processes. The paper criticizes the still-common classic form of CCT as being conceptually obsolete and to a great extent empirically falsified.

Process Differentiation and Person-Centeredness: Introduction to the Special Issue.

Takens, R.J., Lietaer, G.

Editorial | From volume/issue: 3.1 | Pages:

Self-pathology and Post-modern Humanity: Challenges for person-centered psychotherapy.

Swildens, H. - Heusden, Netherlands

Article | From volume/issue: 3.1 | Pages: 4–18

Keywords: client-centered therapy, person-centered therapy, narcissistic defense, process differentiation, postmodern type, self-pathology

Abstract: The author describes, in somewhat metaphorical terms, the difficult situation of client-centered therapy in continental Europe. The ‘magic formulas’ raised to rescue the situation are provisionally indicated: person-centeredness, process differentiation and psychotherapy integration. Client narcissistic defense is proposed as the major challenge of these times, and the role of process differentiation and person-centeredness is discussed in respect to this development. The changing language of psychopathology, the rise of self-pathology, the broader nosological and sociological perspectives on the loss of identity and the development of a postmodern human type are discussed. Further, a treatment of this new challenge by a person-centered approach, and especially a role for a process-oriented form of this approach, are proposed. Finally, the magic formulas are revisited more precisely, and person-centeredness and process differentiation are considered to be inseparable, needing each other in the treatment of the narcissistic defense.