Person-centered therapy and reality therapy are among several other counseling theories that therapists have employed. This report critically analyzes the two theoretical approaches to determine their effectiveness in treating Jeff, whose scenario is described herein. The report summarizes the scenario, describes each theory’s key concepts and therapeutic processes, and details the techniques and procedures for each theoretical approach concerning Jeff’s problem. The report further critiques the approaches’ unique views and summarizes their strengths and limitations.
Short Summary of Scenario
Jeff, an IT analyst aged 27, makes an appointment for counseling in the company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) after a general practitioner gave him pills for the same problem. In a flat tone, Jeff explains that he has depression resulting from his five-year-old partner leaving him for another man (McLeod, 2010). Jeff further describes how he keeps thinking about the situation and only looks at his album while playing records in his flat. The client avoided his best friend, brother, and parents, who came to see him by pretending he was not in. He recalls his partner telling him that he was always irritable, tired, and locked up in his work, but he claims that his work environment did not encourage him to be the first out of the car park at 5 (McLeod, 2010). During the session, Jeff also discloses that depression, anger, betrayal, and hurt all occur to him simultaneously. These emotions have led to harmful thoughts such as no one is entitled to her partner if he cannot be with her.
Person-Centered Therapy
A key concept of the person-centered therapy, also known as Rogerian therapy, is the perception of the client, rather than the counselor, as the expert. Thus, the therapy entails the person-centered counselor motivating the patient to explore and better comprehend themselves and their illnesses (Garcia et al., 2023). The empathic approach is founded on Carl Roger’s belief that all clients aim for and can fulfill their potential. Noteworthy, the therapy deviates from the traditional concept where clients are presumed flawed and possess problematic perceptions and attitudes that need treatment (Knutson & Koch, 2022). As such, the therapy establishes that each individual has the desire and ability for personal change and growth.
Therapeutic procedures in person-centered therapy consist of psychological contact between the client and therapist, where a bond must be developed between the two to facilitate successful treatment. According to Knutson and Koch (2022), patients are mostly unaware of their vulnerability to anxieties and fears due to a discrepancy between their experience and self-image. Another helpful procedure involves the therapist demonstrating genuineness and self-awareness during their relationship with the client. By the therapist not adopting an image of perfection, the patient can easily share their health issues without fear of judgment (Garcia et al., 2023). Consequently, the effectiveness of the treatment is based on the therapist’s empathic approach, where the more they strive to understand the patient’s experience, the more likely they are to receive positive outcomes.
Reality Therapy
Reality therapy is founded on the assumption that psychological symptoms occur due to choices people make. Emmelkamp and Meyerbröker (2021) postulate that this therapy is a form of counseling that considers patients’ attitudes as an outcome of their choices. Wiederhold and Riva (2019) relate reality therapy with choice therapy that identifies enjoyment, independence, achievement, belonging and love, and survival as humans’ genetic and basic needs. In addition, the authors indicate that choice theory establishes that belonging and love is the primary need of humans, an aspect that the writers describe as contributing to psychological health problems arising from relationships. Similarly, the choice theory holds that humans select behaviors to satisfy their unmet requirements. Thus, human behavior must be aligned with internal forces to realize unmet needs.
Treatment procedures used in reality therapy include therapists focusing on the patient’s unconscious behaviors, feelings, and thoughts. Emmelkamp and Meyerbröker (2021) stipulate that reality therapy is founded on the present and aims to modify the client’s present behavior to enhance relationships and meet psychological health conditions. The therapist directs a client’s attention to focus on current behavior, not the past. Wiederhold and Riva (2019) posit that focusing on the present is critical for effective treatment as the patient focuses on meeting the needs that can be satisfied. As such, the patient is responsible for their attitude and must accept reality, becoming accountable and correcting themselves when they perform poorly or misbehave. Through this therapeutic concept, the therapist makes the client aware that their inability to fulfill their needs is the root cause of their mental health challenges.
Techniques and Procedures: Techniques and Procedures Used in Person-Centered Therapy
As a counselor in the EAP, I would employ person-centered therapy as a source or guide for supporting Jeff by offering him conditions necessary for therapeutic change. Rodríguez Nogueira et al. (2020) identify the conducive conditions comprising empathy, genuineness, sincerity, and unconditional positive regard. More so, I would listen to Jeff’s health issues but try not to interpret any of his symptoms and also abstain from giving him advice. Such a strategy will empower Jeff to assist him in feeling capable of establishing solutions for his depression. Garcia et al. (2023) advocate that I should allow Jeff to steer the entire treatment procedure in such a scenario but take caution to ensure no rush or agenda setting. Such an approach will aid Jeff in gaining a deeper insight into his depression and maximize his potential to resolve the problem.
Considering that person-centered therapy supports a therapeutic procedure that motivates positive change within Jeff, Jeff is likely to attain a positive therapy experience. Knutson and Koch (2022) support these sentiments and assert that the therapeutic procedure will assist Jeff in exploring his individual experiences in a non-judgmental and supportive environment. Furthermore, exploring individual experiences is as valid as my professional insight. We will develop a therapeutic relationship that places us as equals and eliminate any power imbalances (Rodríguez Nogueira et al., 2020). Utilizing the person-centered therapy on Jeff implies that he will realize that he has authority in his relationship with me as the counselor, as I will constantly reassure him that he can overcome the depression. Notwithstanding, Jeff will understand that he is the expert in his life and that I am only accountable for a minor fraction of his life.
Techniques and Procedures Used in Reality Therapy
Conversely, employing reality therapy in Jeff’s scenario will focus on his past behavior with the intent to reorganize these behaviors. Based on the findings by Šalkevicius et al. (2019), Jeff’s past behaviors that he created to satisfy his needs include pretending he was not in when his best friend, brother, and parents came to see him. Other past behaviors that need to be reorganized consist of looking at photo albums and playing records in his flat, not going to work, not to mention his irritability and tiredness due to constantly being locked up in his work. Thus, according to reality therapy, Jeff would work on making better choices or reorganizing behaviors to manage his life actions and experiences effectively.
Analyzing the scenario using choice therapy, it emerges that Jeff’s past behavior was controlled by his wife’s decision to leave him and move in with another man. Therefore, the therapeutic procedure will require Jeff to take control of his life and overcome the perception of being controlled by external forces like his wife’s departure (Wiederhold & Riva, 2019). I would employ reality therapy to enhance Jeff’s consciousness of controlled choices. Specifically, I would make Jeff realize that he was irresponsibly fulfilling his genetic and basic needs and should be more accountable for his behavior (Šalkevicius et al., 2019). I will also focus on changing Jeff’s actions to modify his behavior by assessing how his current actions effectively satisfy his needs and plan new actions to help him address the genetic and basic requirements.
Similarities and Differences
One of the significant similarities between the two therapies is the counselor empowering Jeff to realize that he is the driver in the therapeutic procedure for his depression. For instance, in person-centered therapy, I will motivate Jeff to explore his individual experiences to foster positive change in him. Similarly, reality therapy also encompasses the counselor helping Jeff to focus on his behavior or individual experiences. These observations are illustrated by my efforts to assist Jeff focus on his behavior and aid him in reorganizing these behaviors as internal rather than external factors influencing his choices.
Another similarity in the two theoretical approaches revolves around both concepts aiding Jeff in enhancing his relationship with the people who most matter to him. An example is person-centered therapy, catering to his personal needs. As I show him respect, he becomes motivated to interact with his best friend, brother, and parents by responding positively to them. Such positive responses will facilitate an environment where Jeff cultivates a more profound and meaningful emotional bond with the people close to him. Likewise, reality therapy pegs its therapeutic effectiveness on love and belonging, which I consider very important as a counselor. Therefore, most of my efforts during the therapeutic procedure will focus on enhancing his present circumstances and relationships with his best friend, brother, and parents with less effort directed toward Jeff’s past actions toward them.
The two theoretical approaches also differ, especially when treating Jeff’s depression. For example, person-centered therapy emphasizes the bond between Jeff and the counselor, where I present myself as congruent or genuine. To demonstrate congruence or genuineness during the counseling sessions with Jeff, I will be committed to gaining a better comprehension of his problems and respecting him. As Knutson and Koch (2022) discussed, my unconditional positive regard for Jeff is essential in showing him that I genuinely care about his mental health problem. Thus, this theoretical approach functions best when the I accept Jeff for who he is and abstain from judging him, an aspect that deepens our bond and increases the chances of successful therapy sessions.
The person-centered therapy differs from reality therapy as in the latter, Jeff is considered to possess five genetic and basic needs that motivate his life. The needs constitute fun, freedom, power, belonging and love, and survival, where belonging and love significantly impact Jeff’s life (Wiederhold & Riva, 2019). Belonging and love are fundamental to Jeff as he cannot relate with his best friend, brother, and parents. In person-centered therapy, there is less focus on the genetic and basic needs, as I will concentrate more on facilitating Jeff’s capacity to self-actualize. Instead of making Jeff aware of the basic and genetic needs as I would do while employing reality therapy, I will seek to foster personal growth by permitting the client to utilize and explore his personal identity and strengths through person-centered therapy.
The choice theory linked with reality therapy further emphasizes the difference, where Jeff’s behavior can be linked to his physiology, emotions, thoughts, and actions. A good example is his decision to shut himself down from his brother, best friend, and parents, an aspect that drives him to be controlled by memories captured in the photo album. Emmelkamp and Meyerbröker (2021) assert that all behavior and actions are chosen and not accidental, as evidenced in Jeff, who is depressed because he confines himself within memories with his partner. In contrast, person-centered therapy does not focus on past actions but concentrates on present behavior, which is essential for encouraging Jeff to be less dependent on my answers. Consequently, I will not be active in directing the conversation as Jeff will be doing most of the talking, an aspect that is vital for him to concentrate on the present.
Strengths and Limitations: Strengths and Limitations of Person-Centered Therapy
In Jeff’s case, the person-centered approach is useful because it helps him process his emotions in a self-compassionate and deeply healing manner. This therapy requires the client to integrate and process his experiences and feelings for positive changes to be reazlied (Trettin, 2021). Furthermore, utilizing this theoretical approach benefits Jeff as it emphasizes his focus on finding solutions for his mental health challenges in an accepting and safe environment. Notwithstanding, this approach is limiting in Jeff’s scenario as the therapy can restrict the realization of a successful therapy when the patient has trouble verbally expressing himself. Also, the counselor’s lack of unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence can lead to Jeff mistrusting me and negatively impacting the therapy.
Strengths and Limitations of Reality Therapy
On the other hand, reality therapy can benefit Jeff as his flat tone might indicate his unwillingness to pursue therapy due to criticism or fear of judgment. Besides, the flat tone could also indicate the counselor’s lack of confidence, considering that he had visited a general practitioner who gave him pills. As such, this theoretical approach would help improve Jeff’s confidence and self-awareness, mainly when I help him reorganize his behavior. The reality approach is exceptionally significant for Jeff as it will help him focus on problem-solving and modifying his behavior and thoughts. Otherwise, reality therapy is limiting in Jeff’s scenario as it allows me to impose my perceptions, judgments, and values on the client to help him reorganize or develop new behavior.
Conclusion
Considering the strengths and limitations of both person-centered and reality therapies, I would prefer using the person-centered approach to Jeff’s scenario. This decision is founded on the strength of the therapy in addressing a wide range of Jeff’s issues, including a phobia of leaving work at five and low self-esteem. More so, it will encourage Jeff to find solutions for his problems, leading to his change of past behavior to attain positive changes. My preference for person-centered therapy is also influenced by the benefit of the theoretical approach in empowering Jeff to focus on his present behavior, as he will be in charge of our conversation throughout the counseling sessions. Otherwise, I would avoid reality therapy as it creates a loophole for imposing my perceptions and judgments on Jeff. This aspect can quickly diminish the effectiveness of the therapy sessions.
References
Emmelkamp, P. M., & Meyerbröker, K. (2021). Virtual reality therapy in mental health. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 17, 495-519. Web.
Garcia, D., Cloninger, K. M., & Cloninger, C. R. (2023). Coherence of character and temperament drives personality change toward well-being in person-centered therapy. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 36(1), 60-66. Web.
Knutson, D., & Koch, J. M. (2022). Person-centered therapy is applied to work with transgender and gender-diverse clients. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 62(1), 104-122. Web.
McLeod (2010). The counsellor’s workbook: Developing a personal approach. Open University Press.
Rodríguez Nogueira, O., Botella-Rico, J., Martínez González, M. C., Leal Clavel, M., Morera-Balaguer, J., & Moreno-Poyato, A. R. (2020). Construction and content validation of a measurement tool to evaluate person-centered therapeutic relationships in physiotherapy services. PLoS One, 15(3), e0228916. Web.
Šalkevicius, J., Damaševičius, R., Maskeliunas, R., & Laukienė, I. (2019). Anxiety level recognition for virtual reality therapy system using physiological signals. Electronics, 8(9), 1039. Web.
Trettin, A. F. (2021). Person-centered therapy: The case of Tommy. Discovering Theory in Clinical Practice: A Casebook for Clinical Counseling and Social Work Practice, 73-84. Web.
Wiederhold, B. K., & Riva, G. (2019). Virtual reality therapy: merging topics and future challenges. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 22(1), 3-6. Web.