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Unit 14: Types of Counseling: Non-Directive Counseling

to a considerable extent by the phenomenological psychology popular during that period. He is also Notes
counted as one of the important protagonists of the humanistic approach popularly known as the
‘third force’ in psychology.

Client-centered therapy, that is, the practical application of humanistic psychology made
a great impact on the academic scene.

14.1 Non-Directive Counseling : Concept
According to Rogers, in any kind or type of psychotherapy the underlying basis theme is the helping
relationship. In all human interactions, such as mother-child teacher-pupil, therapist-client, etc., the
helping relationship is fundamental. This relationship is one in which the counselor seeks to bring
about a better appreciation and a clearer expression of the client’s latent inner resources. Thus the
helping relationship is intended to facilitate the growth of the person receiving help. Such a growth
in individuals is aimed at improving their functioning and/or accelerating their maturity. This is
usually called psychological growth or psychological maturity. Counseling aims at bringing about
psychological growth or maturity in the client. The helping relationship is also generally a one-to-
one relationship. It could also be in some specific cases an individual-group relationship.
In this approach, the counselor provides an atmosphere in which the client can fully explore his/her
own thoughts and feelings freely without any fear or pressure. This by making the counselee
understand his/her potentialities the counselor acts as a catalytic agent. Here the source of data is
the client him/herself and the responisbility for change rests with the counselee rather than the
counselor. The counselor should not be as passive as trying to keep out clients way nor should be
as active as to shift the focus form client to counselor.

14.2 Characteristics of Non-Directive Counseling

1. It is meaningful to the persons involved - it implies mutual self-commitment.
2. It has a marked tone of feeling, that is, the individuals who are involved experience certain
emotional states.
3. It implies integrity- the persons involved are intellectually and emotionaly honest with each
other.
4. It can exist by mutual consent only, that is, there is no compulsion. No person can be compelled
to be helpful and similarly no person can be compelled to receive help.
5. It comes into existence or becomes necessary when one is in need of some kind of help which
another can reasonably provide. For instance, an individual may need information, advice or
assistance in a particular situation while another individual has the necessary knowledge and
capacity to provide him owing to his experience, position or situation.
6. It involves communication and interaction. This may involve non-verbal behaviour, such as
facial expressions, gestures and the like and also direct verbal communication.
7. It is often structured, that is, it is not vague and amorphous. The helping individuals knows
what sort of help he could possibly provide and the individual receiving help knows what
kind of help he is in need of.
8. It is sustained through mutual cooperation and collaboration. If a certain kind of help is provided
which is not useful the receiver will indicate the same, and the helping person will naturally
modify his approach.

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