Person-centered therapy diverges from the traditional model of the therapist as expert and moves instead toward a nondirective, empathic approach that empowers and motivates the client in the therapeutic process. The therapy is based on the belief that every human being strives for and has the capacity to fulfil his or her own potential.

Who Might Benefit?

Imagine a young woman who views herself as uninteresting and a poor conversationalist even though other people find her fascinating and quite engaging. Because her self-perceptions are not congruent with reality, she may experience poor self-esteem.

Through the process of person-centered therapy, we can learn to adjust our self-concept in order to achieve congruence. The techniques used in the person-centered approach are all focused on helping us reach a more realistic view of ourselves and the world.

Person-Centered Therapy May Help Those Who Are Experiencing:

Anxiety and Psychosis
Dementia
Depression
Mood disorders
Negative thoughts related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

How does it Work?

Mental health professionals who utilize this approach strive to create the conditions needed for us to change. This involves a therapeutic environment that is conformable, non-judgmental, and empathetic. They use three techniques to achieve this:

✽ Genuineness and Congruence

Person-centered therapists display genuineness and congruence with us, their clients. This means we always act in accordance with our own thoughts and feelings, allowing ourselves to share openly and honestly. This requires self-awareness and a realistic understanding of how internal experiences, like thoughts and feelings, interact with external experiences. By modelling genuineness and congruence, our therapist can help teach us these important skills. Displaying genuineness and congruence also helps create a secure, trusting relationship between us and our therapist. This trust contributes to a feeling of safety, which may help us engage with therapy more comfortably.

✽ Unconditional Positive Regard

Our therapist will show unconditional positive regard by always accepting us for who we are and displaying support and care no matter what we are facing or experiencing. They may express positive feelings to us or offer reassurance, or they may practice active listening, responsive eye contact, and positive body language to let us know that they are engaged in the session.

By creating a climate of unconditional positive regard, our therapist may help us feel able to express our true emotions without fear of rejection. This is often an affirming experience, and it may set the stage for us to make positive changes.

✽ Empathetic Understanding

Our therapist will also practice empathy during sessions, acting as a mirror of our feelings and thoughts. They will seek to understand us and maintain an awareness and sensitivity to our experience and our point of view.

The goal is to help us build rapport with our therapist and ensure that we feel fully understood. This may provide us with the environment we need to reflect on our own inner thoughts, perceptions, and emotions, which may offer unique insights we did not have access to previously.

By using these three techniques, therapists can help us grow psychologically, become more self-aware, and change our behaviour via self-direction. In this type of environment, we feel safe and free from judgment.

Everyone Deserves To Blossom

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Gentle Start-Up in Couples Communication

What is a Gentle Start-up?

Effective communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship, and this holds for couples as well. A gentle start-up in communication refers to initiating a conversation with care, empathy, and respect. It’s about setting a positive tone for the discussion, which is essential in ensuring both partners feel heard and understood.

In Asian households, where communication can sometimes be perceived as harsh or direct, the concept of a “gentle start-up” may seem jarring, and unfamiliar. Traditional Asian households often prioritize directness and sometimes even bluntness in communication, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts within couples.

In fact, gentle start-up is actually aligned when the values of Asian households. Many Asian households emphasize respect towards loved ones. In such contexts, starting a conversation gently can be seen as a sign of respect, even if the content of the conversation is a complaint.

Maintaining harmony is a fundamental value within Asian households as well. A gentle start-up not only reflects respect but also serves to preserve the equilibrium within the relationship. Initiating a conversation gently reinforces the importance of the relationship. This approach communicates that the relationship is more significant than any temporary disagreement or frustration.

In Asian households, collectivism and interdependence are deeply rooted cultural values. These values emphasize the interconnectedness of the couple and the idea that their actions and words can impact the entire relationship.

The gentle start-up approach aligns with these values and aims to minimize the emotional impact of difficult moments within the family. By choosing a more respectful and considerate tone, family members can navigate challenging conversations with minimal emotional harm, ultimately promoting healthier and more harmonious family dynamics.

Benefits of Gentle Start-Ups:

Enhanced Understanding:
- Initiating a conversation gently allows both partners to approach the topic with an open mind, fostering better understanding and empathy.
Reduced Defensiveness:
- A harsh start to a conversation can trigger defensiveness, making it challenging to resolve issues. A gentle start-up can minimize this defensiveness, leading to more productive discussions.
Conflict Resolution:
- By using a gentle approach, couples can create a safe space for addressing concerns and resolving conflicts constructively.

In Asian households, the importance of gentle start-ups in couples’ communication becomes evident when considering the cultural dynamics at play. While directness and bluntness have their place, employing a gentle approach can foster understanding, reduce defensiveness, and facilitate healthy conflict resolution. It’s a harmonious blend of traditional values and effective communication techniques that can lead to stronger, more resilient relationships in the context of diverse Asian households.

Person-Centered Therapy

Who Might Benefit?