Level II Counselling Skills Session Nine

This session introduces the theory and practice of Carl Rogers and the Person Centred Approach.

1. The ‘Core Conditions’ Session Nine

2. Session Aims Find evidence of m eeting the CPCAB criteria in your portfolios Introduce the ideas of Carl Rogers and in particular his ‘core conditions’ for a therapeutic relationship.

3. Learning Outcomes By the end of this session you will be able to: Demonstrate how you meet the CPCAB criteria Explain what is meant by empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard Define the phrase ‘conditions of worth’ Describe what Carl Rogers means by therapeutic change.

4. Last Session Learnt the difference between open and closed questions D emonstrated the use of creative questions using the Change Model

5. Contents of this Session Extended ice-breaker – Family Rules Meeting the CPCAB criteria – small groups The ‘core conditions ’- small groups Presentation on core conditions and conditions of worth Worksheet – the difference between sympathy and empathy Presentation on Conditions of Worth and Therapeutic Change The final week A round

6. Ice-Breaker – Family Rules Working in pairs Take ten minutes to explore and list the overt and covert rules that governed your family life as you grew up From your list choose one or two that can be shared with the whole group when we discuss this topic

7. Portfolios and Criteria

8. Carl Rogers (1902 – 1987) Humanistic Psychology Self Actualising Tendency Conditions of Worth Therapeutic Relationship Therapeutic Change

9. Core Conditions Exercise 15 minutes Form three groups: Empathy Congruence Unconditional Positive Regard (UPR) Discuss what your concept means Say why it is important within a therapeutic relationship Say how you would demonstrate that quality in your listening. Record your findings on flip chart paper to present to the whole group

10. Presentations

11. Empathy To understand and share in the client’s experience without judging. To feel emotionally connected to the client and their experience; to be fully present whilst they explore and develop their own understanding Prizing our uniqueness and our common humanity

12. Congruence Being honest and straight with people Being transparent Being trust worthy

13. Unconditional Positive Regard Acceptance To respect, prize and value the client for who they are - without conditions Being non-judgemental

14. Any Thoughts?

15. Empathy and Sympathy Take a few minutes, with a partner, to consider the differences between these two approaches: Empathy Sympathy

16. Feedback

17. Conditions of Worth The conditions we must meet as children in order to gain love and affection from our parents and carers. Conditions of worth influence our personality development. We may end up living a life determined by the values and beliefs of others, a life that is inhibited and closed off.

18. Therapeutic Change If the client experiences a relationship marked by the core conditions then he or she can be their selves. They can be congruent: their social self is softened and their authentic self emerges. Self-actualisation begins.

19. Final Session Next week is the final session and you will be: Ending Handing in your Portfolio Having fun Giving positive affirmations Giving feedback Saying goodbye Bringing food along is optional

20. Learning Outcomes You are now able to : Hand in your portfolio next week (well … nearly) Explain what is meant by empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard Identify conditions of worth Describe what Rogers means by therapeutic change.

21. Well done Everybody!