Critique of Existential and Person-Centered Therapy1

Abstract The purpose of this critique is to briefly summarize Frankl’s Existential Therapy and Roger’s Person-Centered Therapy. Each theory discusses the key concepts, the therapeutic process, the theory’s application of setting and problem area, some of its aspects that are supported by the Bible, and finally gives a final evaluation of the approach. Frankl’s Existential Therapy discusses humans’ existence as a whole, what they might experience, and how they can act on their experiences by being creators of their own life. Roger’s Person-Centered therapy on the other hand focuses on the direct actions of an individual and that humans will change if empathetic listening was involved along with unconditional positive regard. Critique of Existential and Person-Centered Therapy2

Existential Therapy The existential theory’s view of human nature is that humans are not victims of situations that occur to them, but they are creators of their own life. The existential therapy attempts to explain what it means to be human. The existential approach allows clients to become self-aware, to practice freedom and responsibility, to strive for identity and develop healthy relationships with others, to search for meaning, and to realize that a little bit of anxiety is a normal part of living and that it is what actually allows us to succeed. Lastly, the existential approach allows clients to get in touch with reality and think about the end, which is death (Corey, 2005, p.136-144). During the therapeutic process of the existential therapy, there are three main goals. Goal one is to enable individuals to accept freedom and responsibility, especially in making their own choices. The second goal is to help clients face anxiety and engage in behaviors that make their existence worthwhile. The third goal is to let clients listen to their inner selves as to learn about themselves so they can get in terms with their existence and who they are (Corey, 2005, p145-146). During therapy, the therapist’s role is to understand the subjective world of the clients and to help them come to a new understanding of their outlook on life. The therapist also should focus on the client’s current situation and work with what the client has to disclose. The therapist also assists individuals in discovering the reason for why they are stuck in their life, Critique of Existential and Person-Centered Therapy3

invites clients to accept responsibility, and helps clients become aware of their own part in creating conditions by confronting them (Corey, 2005, p.146). Besides the therapist’s role, the client’s role in the therapeutic process is also critical. The client in the therapeutic process is to be responsible of how they choose to be, they need to decide on how they will live differently, he or she must be active in the therapeutic process and must figure out what fears, guilty feelings, and anxiety they will explore. The client also must confront any concerns he or she might have rather than to cope with immediate problems on his or her own (Corey, 2005, p. 147). While both the client and the therapist work together, a relationship is bound to develop. The nature of the relationship between the client and the counselor should be based on

honesty, integrity, and on courage. The therapist, while working with clients should look within him or herself and has to use different approaches with clients. Empathy should also be developed to strengthen the relationship, respect should be developed as well so to make clients more willing to discover their existence. Lastly, what will make the relationship stronger is if the therapist models genuine behavior to the client by disclosing appropriate information about him or herself (Corey, 2005, p.148), this will allow the client to learn from the therapist and relate to him or her. During the initial phase of the existential therapy, the therapist assists clients to identify and clarify their assumptions of the world. Clients then reexamine their values, beliefs, and assumptions in order to determine where they stand. The therapist, during this phase teaches clients to reflect on their existence and to get out of the victim role in order to become creators of their existence and destiny. During the middle phase, clients examine the source of their value Critique of Existential and Person-Centered Therapy4

system and begin to get insights on their attitudes towards life, and begin to get a greater idea about what kind of life they would like to lead. During the final phase, clients apply what they have learned in therapy to their life and to their situations (Corey, 2005, p.150). The existential therapy is used on clients who are struggling with their existence, and who find problems figuring out what their purpose of life is. This therapy is for those who are confronting death, for those who are struggling with a crisis, anxiety, and with decisions. This therapy also works for those who experience change especially when starting a new phase of life (Corey, 2005, p.149-150). Evaluation of Approach I found that this approach was interesting to read about. I believe that this approach is used for those who need to find meaning to life because it allows for self-awareness. I think that part of developing into a healthy and a wise person, one must look deep into themselves, those around them, and their experiences. If one has not understood life completely, then they will not understand him or herself. I particularly agree with how clients can become creators of their own destiny, rather than to think of themselves as victims. Victims need therapy because it is those people who will not learn from their mistakes, because they will blame them on others. My only question to this approach is, will it heal those who think of committing suicide? It seems that those people who feel that they do not have meaning to their life and feel alone, are those in danger of committing suicide. I think that if suicidal patients use this approach and look deep within themselves and their existence, then the chance of committing suicide is very slim. Critique of Existential and Person-Centered Therapy5

Some limitations to this approach is that it does not apply much to the systematic approach, that is, existentialists can be individualists who do not look at the whole social factors that may cause issues in human factors. This theory does not explain the many factors of human issues such as environmental factors and external realities of racism, discrimination, and oppression, that is, it does not give account to different cultures. Another limitation to this approach is that it does not give enough direction to clients

because many clients in such a situation may need a structured and a more problem-oriented approach (Corey, 2005, p.153-154). Some contributions of this approach is that it gives focus on substantial factors in human existence such as, self-consciousness and freedom, that is, it helps us understand normal human issues, such as anxiety, loneliness, and frustration. One of the main contributions of this theory is that it gives the therapeutic process a more humane tone rather than it being mechanical (Corey, 2005, p. 155). The aspect that I liked most about this approach is teaching clients to become self-aware. I think that one of the problems of feeling lost and hopeless is not knowing and not understanding the self. If people come to realize their problems and why they are what they are now, they will be more likely to change themselves and work with what they have. Being stuck and blaming others will not change the situation, but it will make it worse. Having clients learn about themselves, getting out of denial, and accepting their situation will make a big difference in their life decisions. I feel that I will incorporate this aspect into my counseling approach and will apply it to myself personally. I feel that it is very important for people to reflect on their selves through every stage of their life. I believe that every day we become someone new and Critique of Existential and Person-Centered Therapy6

we need to realize that that is what will make us get out of our victim role and become creators of our own life. The aspect that I liked least about this approach is the awareness of death. Although I feel that it is important for people to realize that they need to work towards their death by making their life memorable, I also feel that that step in the process should be eliminated, because the purpose of this approach is to bring the liveliness and existence out of clients, and if the therapist focuses on that as the core of the process, and then towards the end discusses death, then the topic of death will kill the healing process. I feel that it is important to realize that everyone will die, but the therapist should not necessarily discuss the topic of death especially to depressed clients as it will hamper their development. Supported Aspect of the Approach in the Bible The aspect from this theory that is supported in the Bible is the accomplishment of finding purpose from life. Paul talked about what he had to go through especially in suffering the loss of many things when coming in terms with and knowing Jesus Christ. What mattered to Paul is living in fellowship with Christ even though it brought suffering to him (Timothy 3:12). Given that, this portion that is supported in the Bible reflects on how clients should take what happens to them and make purpose out of it, because what does not kill us makes us. Critique of Existential and Person-Centered Therapy7

Person-Centered Therapy Carl Rogers is the founder of the person-centered theory. His view of human nature is that humans are trustworthy, resourceful, capable of self-understanding and having self-direction, and able to make changes in order to lead a productive life (Corey, 2005, p. 167). The basic assumption of the person-centered approach is that therapists can indeed get to the clients by having trust in them; if the therapist is able to connect with their clients and build a relationship based on realness and caring, then clients will be able to

make significant changes in their lives. This therapeutic approach focuses on the clients’ strengths that can be utilized to foster growth (p. 168). The goals of this therapeutic approach are to foster independence and integration for clients, to focus on the person not on their problem, to help clients grow so that they can solve the problems that they face now and in the future (Corey, 2005, p. 168). The primary characteristics of this approach are to allow clients to self-direct themselves, that is, the therapist should reject the role of being the one to direct, but have clients make their choices and build themselves. Studies suggest that most learning occurs from self-directed adults; that is, when the adult sets to learn, he or she will choose a variety of resources ranging from human to non-human. The dimensions of self-direction are, learning how to learn, having control over the process of learning, and eliminating some dysfunctional thoughts (Blair, n.d), but self-direction is only possible if clients are given the chance to lead their own choices. The therapist plays a different role in this therapy than he or she does in any other approach. The therapist in this approach does not abide by any rule. The role of the therapist is rooted in his or her attitudes and believes towards clients, that is, the role of the therapist is not to Critique of Existential and Person-Centered Therapy8

apply his or her knowledge and theories, but to be genuinely humane towards his or her clients. The therapist is there to be a friend to the clients by listening to them and by having them realize on their own their problems and have them choose ways of solving them. The clients’ role in this approach is to explore their inner feelings, to become more open to experiences, and to appreciate themselves more in order to be able to take the first step to change. Through therapy, clients are more likely to be free to make decisions, and to become trustworthy of themselves to manage and lead their own lives. The nature of the relationship between the therapist and the client is characterized by equality, that is, when the client sees that the therapist is treating the clients in a caring and in an empathetic manner, then the client is more likely to cooperate with the therapist. The therapist and the clients with their developmental journey, begin to develop a humane relationship that will result in the clients’ growth. Application of Theory The major method of this theory is a non-directive approach and it is based on developing a good relationship with clients. The goal as mentioned earlier is to have clients reflect and lead the way to their own change. The approach can be applied to a variety of settings. The areas that this approach can be applied to are when working with individuals, groups, and families. It can be used on clients who have anxiety disorders, alcoholism, psychosomatic problems, agoraphobia, depression, and for those who have difficulty with their inner self (Corey, 2005, p. 176). This approach can also be applied to a crisis intervention that one may experience. Critique of Existential and Person-Centered Therapy9

Evaluation of Approach I feel that this approach is excellent for clients who at times cannot relate to anyone and to those who do not have a serious psychological disorder and just want to be listened to.

This therapy is good to use on those who lack motivation and need a little push from someone who will be better able to help them guide themselves. The aspect that I liked the most about this approach and may even incorporate in my own counseling style is being completely humane to clients and not diagnosing them. I believe that if we stopped putting a label on our clients, they will be more likely to seek help and continue therapy. Further, I feel that I will use this approach on my clients as an educational counselor when I will be faced with students who have low self-esteem about themselves and to those who do not have a clear direction to their future. I will also apply this approach to my personal life by continuing to be genuine to myself and continue to believe in myself so that I can better assist those around me personally and professionally. There were no aspects of this approach that I disliked, I felt that it all made sense and was applicable. Limitations Some limitations to this approach are that it may not work for all clients; it may be limited to only those who do not need extensive help. Some clients may expect a directive counselor, and a counselor who uses the person-centered approach may not be fit for such extensive treatment. Another limitation is that this approach may be different in translating the actual practices in certain cultures, for example, not all cultures will think of congruence in the same way, therefore, it is important for the counselor to let the client know that they are free to explain how their culture views some aspects of the approach. Critique of Existential and Person-Centered Therapy10

Supported Aspect of the Approach in the Bible In Carl Roger’s person-centered therapy we observe that the therapist is mainly listening to the client, providing feedback of understanding the client’s situation, that is, the therapist is involved in empathic listening. As a therapist, active listening is one of the most important roles one engages in towards a client (Noel-Tsygulska, n.d.). The Bible informs us of the importance of listening: “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak” (NIV James 1:19); “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19); “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him” (Proverbs 18:13). Given that, this statement from the Bible supports Carl Roger’s humane and genuine acts towards the client. Critique of Existential and Person-Centered Therapy11