PS381 Chapter Notes - Chapter 13: Existential Therapy, Unconditional Positive Regard, Therapeutic Relationship
Document Summary
Phenomenology: an individual"s behavior is completely determined by his or her phenomenal field, or everything that is experienced by the person at any given point in time. Reliance on self reporting rather than on inferences from test data or related observations, as the primary source of information. Self actualization: basic human tendency toward maintaining and improving oneself: we are all on a journey towards this, this is what produces the forward movement in life. Behaviour = goal directed attempts to satisfy needs. The self : awareness of one"s being and functioning. Denied/distorted because it is inconsistent to the self. Rationale for atmosphere of client-centered therapy (very necessary: warm, accepting, permitting. Growth potential: psychotherapy is the releasing of an already existing capacity in a potentially competent individual, not the expert manipulation of a more or less positive personality. Measure of objective detachment must always be maintained otherwise the therapist would have the same problems as the client.
