How to Make the Most of Person Centered Therapy

Therapy is all about helping you with your personal development. In therapy, you must work through the tough stuff to come out the other end a happier, more fulfilled person. That doesn’t happen without some effort, though. Making the most out of therapy is essential for all clients. After all, you need to put the work in just as much as the therapist. That is especially true when it comes to person centered treatment.

What is Person Centered Therapy?

Person centered therapy, developed in the 1940s by Carl Rogers, is an approach that puts the focus on the client. The sessions are led by the clients rather than the therapist. The therapist is there to listen and offer guidance while the client works their way through their issues and discovers their own solutions. It’s about support and empathy rather than trying to push the client in a direction.

Why Does it Work?

According to Rogerian Psychology, patient centered therapy works because the client knows themselves better than the therapist. That helps them come to their own conclusions, which leads to stronger results. Rather than being told, they learn, which, in turn, strengthens their relationship with themselves. If you get carried up a mountain, the view won’t have the same effect on you as if you were to climb it by yourself. That’s the basic principle of the person centered theory. If you are interested in starting person centered therapy, below is how to make the most of it.

Find the Right Therapist

The first step is potentially the most crucial, and that is finding the right therapist. You need a therapist who has excellent credentials, specializes in what you want, and works for your specific needs. Here at Therapy Route, we have a directory full of incredible therapists . Base your search on what is important to you, and you are sure to find one that meets your expectations.

Always Show Up on Time

Therapy requires effort on your part. Don’t expect to be able to show up late and still get the most out of your sessions. See it as crucial as work or school in terms of punctuality and effort. Put your therapy sessions into your calendar, and make sure you always attend and are there on time. Not only will it improve your results, but it will also ensure you do not waste a professional’s time.

Trust Your Therapist

It can be challenging for some to trust a therapist, especially with their deepest feelings. You must learn to do so if you want to get the most out of it. The trust might not happen straight away, but you must work toward trusting your therapist. When it comes to person centered therapy, it’s all about opening up, after all. As the client, you will be doing all the talking, and trusting the therapist certainly helps.

Stay Open-Minded

The easiest way to waste therapy is to be closed-minded. Avoid having any expectations going in. Don’t expect to feel better within a matter of weeks; don’t expect it to not work for you, either. Instead, go in with a fresh, open mind and see where it takes you. That is important for making the most out of such a client-focused form of therapy.

Keep Your Last Therapy Session in Mind

When your therapy session ends, don’t forget everything you have talked about. Instead, consider the words you said and why you said them. As you have done most of the talking, the chances are there will be a lot to consider! Therapy requires effort outside of the session, so use your spare time to delve into what you went over. If it helps, you could even write it down. Keeping a therapy notebook is an excellent option! It will help you keep track of your conversations and your overall progress.

Be Ready to Change Your Perspective

You cannot go into therapy without expecting to change your mind just a little. After all, you are going for a reason! Understand that some of the thoughts and perspectives you may have taken for granted could change during your person-centered sessions. Let that happen. As you work through your experiences, new perspectives will appear, and that is a crucial part of your therapy journey. Let it take you toward a better you. The person centered approach is excellent for clients wanting to delve deep into their thoughts and experiences. It allows you to take control of the therapy sessions. If you are interested in trying it, find an excellent therapist with us here at Therapy Route.