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Unit 14: Types of Counseling: Non-Directive Counseling

(iii) The whole idea of the approach is that the ......................... are capable of correcting Notes
misperceptions between self and experience.
(iv) ......................... is the key concept of non directive counseling.
(v) The ......................... uses feedback and restating the ideas of the patient, forces the patient to
acknowledge ineffective and thought patterns.

14.6 Summary

• 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.
• It is meaningful to the persons involved - it implies mutual self-commitment.
• It has a marked tone of feeling, that is, the individuals who are involved experience certain
emotional states.
• It implies integrity- the persons involved are intellectually and emotionaly honest with each
other.

• 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.
• 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.
• Carl Rogers, the chief proponent of the client centred approach has formulated a central
hypothesis as follows :
(a) The individual has within him/herself capacity latent if not evident to understand those
aspects of him.
(b) This capacity will be realised when the therapist can create a psychological climate
characterised by genuine acceptance of the client as a person of unconditional worth, a
continuing sensitive attempt to understand the existing feelings and communications.
• Non directive counseling involves active listening by the therapist. This counseling option
ideally enabled patients to understand their behaviours while accepting their individuality.
• Listening: Listening by the therapist proves essential in nondirective counseling. Rather than
being an active participant in therapy, the therapist’s main job is to listen to the patient.
• Accepting: Unconditional positive regard -- a vital aspect of nondirective therapy -- enables
patients to feel safe, secure and accepted regardless of the things they have done. The counselor
does not judge patients by past mistakes.
• Respecting and Understanding: Respecting the patient is essential in the psychotherapy. The
counselor not only respects the privacy of the patient, but also the patient’s integrity, personal
beliefs and morals. Showing respect and understanding allows the patient to feel accepted by
and trust the counselor.
• RespondingL: The way in which the counselor responds to the patient plays a direct role in
the healing process. The counselor, using feedback and restating the ideas of the patient, forces
the patient to acknowledge ineffective or inappropriate behaviors and thought patterns.
• Rogers postulated his theory of personality in a series of 19 propositions in his book, Client-
Centered Therapy (1951), which may be summarized as :

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