Book review

Book Review : Keith Tudor and Mike Worrall (Eds.): Freedom to Practise: Person-centered approaches to supervision

Lambers, E.

Review | From volume/issue: 3.3 | Pages:

Book review

Book Review Essay : Reflections of an Honorable Man. (John Shlien,To lead an honorable life: Invitations to think about Client-Centered Therapy and the Person-Centered Approach. A collection of the work of John M. Shlien, edited by Pete Sanders)

Bozarth, J. D. - Watkinsville, Georgia, USA

Review | From volume/issue: 3.3 | Pages: 207–214

Keywords: client-centered therapy, person-centered approach, John Shlien, mental health, human insight

Abstract: A synopsis of the life and works of John M. Shlien is offered through his major papers, articles and book chapters. The content is rich and varied, covering such topics as a client-centered approach to schizophrenia as well as the psychology of secrecy. Theoretical conceptualizations are challenging and extensive. For example, empathy is considered a vital mechanism, but not enough; and the criterion of psychological health is simple: ‘… the ability to listen’. John Shlien’s operating principles are clear and concise, including that all theory is biographical, no theory is universal, and the unique client accounts for success.

Developing Self-Pluralistic Perspectives Within the Person-Centered and Experiential Approaches: A round table dialogue

Cooper, M., Mearns, D., Stiles, W.B., Warner, W., Elliott, R. - University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland

Article | From volume/issue: 3.3 | Pages: 176–191

Keywords: self-plurality, subpersonalities, self-organization, person-centered therapy

Abstract: Key advocates of self-pluralistic approaches within the person-centered and experiential field engaged in a round-table dialogue, exploring areas of commonality and difference in their theoretical work and practice. Areas of agreement included a belief that self-plurality can be both psychologically healthy and psychologically problematic, depending on the level of communication among the different voices; an understanding of selves as active processes and modes of experiencing rather than passive and reified ‘things’; and a belief that, in therapeutic practice, acceptance and empathy need to be extended to all the voices within clients’ psychological worlds. Areas of difference included the extent to which notions of plurality should be brought to bear on clinical practice; the question of whether plurality exists primarily at an organismic level or a reflective one; the issues of whether selves can, and should, become synthesized; and the question of whether or not there is a ‘deeper’ self.

Diagnosing Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapy: An Analysis of the PCE 2003 Programming

Cornelius-White, J.H., Cornelius-White, C.F. - Texas A&M International University, Laredo Texas, USA

Article | From volume/issue: 3.3 | Pages: 166–175

Keywords: person-centered therapy, experiential therapy, conference programming, diagnosis

Abstract: The 2003 PCE conference program is examined as a distinct sample of the state of person-centered and experiential approaches today. This paper aims to identify eight predominant themes that encompass the PCE 2003 conference programming, differentiate the frequencies of their presence and contributors, and estimate their relative scheduling emphasis through an analysis of the Programme and Abstracts PCE 2003. These themes include the central debate on diagnosis; applications of person-centered and experiential approaches outside of therapy; power and diversity; and extensions to the concept of identity. These themes are then examined and discussed with regard to the role they play in describing the direction of current person-centered and experiential approaches.

Editorial : Taking Stock and Looking Forward

Elliott, R., Mearns, D., Schmid, P.F.

Editorial | From volume/issue: 3.3 | Pages:

Obituary: Tony Merry 1948-2004

Obituary | From volume/issue: 3.3 | Pages:

Person-centered Psychotherapy as a Modern System of Meaning

van Kalmthout, M. - Mook, The Netherlands

Article | From volume/issue: 3.3 | Pages: 192–206

Keywords: person-centered therapy, professional identity, religion/spirituality, life meaning

Abstract: Person-centered psychotherapy is viewed as a modern system of meaning. It is shown that this perspective is completely in line with Rogers’ own view of his approach. During his development he increasingly emphasized that he had come upon a philosophy of living, rather than upon a psychotherapeutic technique. It is suggested that, currently, such a view might be of special importance for the future of person-centered psychotherapy, as its existence is threatened worldwide. Some of the consequences of this view of person-centered psychotherapy are discussed, such as its relation to science, its relation to religion or spirituality and its future position in the mental health care system.

The Imperative of Ethical Justification in Psychotherapy: The Special Case of Client-Centered Therapy

Grant, B. - Texas School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Dallas, Texas, USA

Article | From volume/issue: 3.3 | Pages: 152–165

Keywords: ethics, client-centered therapy

Abstract: This paper has three aims: (1) to show that every psychotherapy requires an ethical justification; (2) to provide an ethical justification for the practice of client-centered therapy that relies only on ethical concepts and does not reference psychological theory or research; and (3) to describe some of the special features of client-centered therapy that are associated with an understanding of client-centered therapy as based solely on ethical concepts.