Here’s What Person-Centered Therapy Involves, According to Therapists

Here’s everything you need to know about person-centered therapy.

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A therapy session can involve many different techniques, depending on an individual’s needs and the clinician’s therapeutic approach. Within the field of clinical psychology and psychotherapy, options range from talk therapy to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), as well as approaches like psychodynamic therapy and positive psychology. Ultimately, what matters most is finding the right fit for your experience and any mental health symptoms you might feel. 

One of the options to explore is something called person-centered therapy, which puts the experience of the human being in the driver’s seat. Read on to learn more about this therapeutic approach.

What is person-centered therapy?

Created in 1940 by Carl Rogers, person-centered therapy is a humanistic approach that follows a much less direct structure than other approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. “It is grounded in the belief that humans all have a natural tendency towards growth and change, that they can heal, are the center of their own stories, and are capable of self-actualization,” says Charlie Health Licensed Creative Arts Therapist Courtney Way, MA, LCAT.

According to the National Library of Medicine’s National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), person-centered therapy is also known as client-centered, non-directive, or Rogerian therapy, and requires six conditions to be met: 

1. A therapeutic relationship exists between the client and therapist 
2. The client is struggling with a sense of incongruence – in other words, experiencing conflict between their authentic, internal self and the external self they present to the world  
3. The therapist is fully genuine and authentic in the relationship 
4. The therapist is able to provide unconditional positive regard 
5. The therapist is empathetic and understanding of the client’s internal perspective
6. The client perceives the therapist’s unconditional positive regard and empathic understanding

Way notes that person-centered therapy isn’t about diagnoses or prescribing certain coping techniques to individuals, but instead about creating this positive, safe therapeutic relationship. According to NCBI, person-centered therapy is effective for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Unlike some other techniques, person-centered therapy also comes without a clear structure. Individuals don’t have “specific benchmarks” they’re trying to reach or facing strict analysis, says Way. 

As Charlie Health Group Facilitator Bree Williams, LPCA, puts it, the therapist should feel like a “supportive partner” who brings empathy to the relationship. She explains that an individual should feel empowered and comforted during person-centered therapy, engaging in conversations at their own pace and with the focus of their choice. These therapy sessions should be a judgment-free space. 

Who can benefit from person-centered therapy? 

Person-centered therapy can provide tremendous support and clarity for many individuals. “Person-centered therapy can be incredibly healing for individuals who struggle with self-esteem, identity challenges, emotional suppression, or a history of invalidation,” says Williams. “It’s especially helpful for those who need a corrective emotional experience — one where they finally feel heard, valued, and accepted for who they are.”

Way adds that it can also benefit people exploring their identity, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals living with neurodivergence, people navigating a space of intersectionality related to their cultural identities, and people experiencing life transitions. 

Limits of person-centered therapy

However, person-centered therapy is not for everyone due to the lack of structure. According to Way and Williams, person-centered therapy’s limitations include: 

• Not explicitly designed for symptom reduction
• Lack of structure (can be both a pro and a con)
• Leaving individuals feeling like they’re not getting enough out of it due to the lack of guidance
• Requires the individual to explore themselves openly, which can be challenging for a shy or ambivalent person
• Needs the person to understand and be able to articulate their internal experiences

According to Charlie Health Contemplative Practitioner Tairesha “Sunflower” Flemister, LMSW, individuals who might struggle with person-centered therapy include anyone who:

• Wants step-by-step guidance or structure
• Is experiencing an acute crisis and needs immediate, structured care
• Has difficulty knowing what to say without prompts
• Needs specialized treatments like trauma reprocessing, exposure, or safety planning. 

It might still serve some benefit for individuals in these circumstances, but often requires a combination with other forms of therapy or treatment, says Flemister. 

How Charlie Health can help 

If you or a loved one are struggling with your mental health, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers more than once-weekly online therapy for individuals facing serious mental health conditions including personality disorders, bipolar disorder, and more. 

Our expert clinicians use a person-centered therapeutic approach rooted in empathy and empathetic understanding, creating a supportive therapeutic process across every therapy session. Through evidence-based talk therapy and group sessions we help strengthen emotional regulation and improve interpersonal relationships. With the right support, managing your well-being is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today. possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.