Process Work in Person-Centred Therapy

This exploration into person centred therapy expands upon the Rogerian model and makes links with other, generally overlooked aspects of the humanistic tradition. Through case studies it illustrates the relevance of phenomenological and existential perspectives for the person-centred approach.

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Since Carl Rogers' death in 1987, the person-centred approach has developed in many ways. Process Work in Person-Centred Therapy offers students, practitioners and supervisors a practical way of understanding some of the key contemporary issues. Richard Worsley challenges the growing polarisation between those person-centred practitioners taking a 'purist' approach and those with a more experiential focus. Through the use of vivid case examples and practical exercises, he clearly illustrates how counsellors and psychotherapists may beneficially address client process in their work in ways that remain consistent with the person-centred approach. In part one he examines the nature of process work and its relationship with the core principles of the person-centred approach. In part two he links process work with the often overlooked humanistic and phenomenological roots of person-centred therapy, ranging from specific consideration of the importance of transactional analysis and gestalt therapy to a reflection on the spirituality of the person-centred approach. In the third part he similarly explores therapist belief systems and practices in the light of existentialist thinking.
Drawing these strands together, in the final part he discusses how process work may be further understood in the light of his findings.