What are the benefits of using a client-centered approach in counseling?

A client centered approach is meeting the client where he or she is at in a non judgemental and supportive manner. It's an unconditional positive regard that is intended to empower the client. The therapist is the client's cheerleader and guide..." You have the best solution to your problem, I'm just here to help you figure it out"...

Client-centered approach is helpful as our role as counsellor to assist client to focus on their well being by taking control of their emotion and not get influence by the surrounding they are in. To be authentic to themself of their needs, values and boundaries.

That 1-2-1 experience of offloading one’s thoughts, feelings is more powerful than words can express. Feeling worried but not sure where those feelings are coming from, talk, listen, make sense.

Carl Rogers view in his later years was that congruence was the most important of the core conditions. It’s vital to meet the client with my full self - with clarity and calm that comes from knowing myself as well as I can, from years of my own personal therapy journey, and from the openness that helps me not to be defensive or anxious in my interactions with my clients. This is not about self disclosure but it’s about an involvement and an engagement with the other person’s material, so that I am not trying to prove a point or find a solution.

Nobody knows the client better than the client. I've found that in my practice, the clients I see almost always have the answers they are searching for in them, they just need help seeing it. By providing a space where the client can be authentically themselves, they are able to do the hard work of figuring out how to solve the problems in their life. Providing a safe space for them to both fail and succeed allows them to gain clarity and practice skills that will increase wellness and create success.

My view is counselling is always about the client and is important to focus on what clients want and needs. As the world has given alot of pressure on expectation towards mankind and counselling is safe place client can express themself without judgement and find back themself to go back to the world with strength.

I agree, and think it's important to add that taking a non-judgmental stance and tone when being curious, asking questions, and exploring the resistance and barriers with the client is essential in building trust and rapport.

I describe the client-centered approach in my first session with clients this way: "You (client) are the pilot and I (therapist) am the co-pilot. You determine the destination you want to get to (ideal self, or ideal life for self) and I help you navigate getting there. In navigating, I point out objects in the way (barriers), help you see the path from a different perspective (new learning), and address choices the pilot is making (faulty thought and/or behavior patterns) that may be preventing them from successfully reaching their intended destination."

Participation in a client-centered approach is especially empowering for those who have experienced disenfranchisement. Clinicians who lean into curiosity and acceptance set the tone for a shared work space where the only “expert opinion” in the room is that of the client’s.

Something fascinating about client-center approach is seeing clients being able to feel empowered and confident in being able to take back their reigns of life and being the expert. It gives me a lot of joy seeing clients starting to regain confidence, feeling empowered, and feeling comfortable with themselves and learn to be true and authentic. It also just humanizes the professional relationship where they are able to make the choice as the expert rather than being told what to do. It’s a great modality to use especially if you are an eclectic counselor!

One of the biggest pressures that counselors or mental health professionals face is the expectation to "fix" client problems. Client-centered approach helps the professional take the co-driver seat than the role of an expert. Fostering curiosity, adopt kindness and support through compassion comes easy in this approach as compared to other schools. It really eases the pressure that a counselor faces in finding the "right" answer to client's problems. Instead, it helps them empower themselves and their clients to take responsibility of their own lives in alignment with who they are.

I have been utilizing Carl Roger’s client centered approach for 18 years in fact that’s all I have ever used I liked the tidbit about the reference of being the co-pilot. I can’t think of a better way to describe the counseling relationship.

In my experience, it would be quite difficult to learn, understand, and practice a client-centered approach without a full comprehension of trauma and how that affects the brain and the body. Learning trauma-informed language is essential if you want to create a safe, non-judgmental zone in which to build rapport and trust with clients.

Something to consider is that, if we are *not* using a client-centred approach, to reflect on who we think we are there to support as the clinician/counsellor/coach. Everything we do with the client needs to be intentional, with the goal of supporting along side (not pulling or pushing) the person in front of us.