On becoming a person-centered therapist: the effect of the process of “becoming” on the person’s self-concept

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to explore how someone perceives the process of becoming a person-centered therapist, and if (and in what way) the person-centered approach changes their self-concept during this process. Six person-centered therapists were interviewed about the way they experienced their process of ‘becoming’, the way they perceive their self-concept with regard to this process, and how this perception changed during their training and practice. These semi-structured interviews were analyzed using Interpretative-Phenomenological Analysis. Four main themes were identified: perceiving themselves through the process of becoming a person-centered therapist, experiencing themselves as clients, relating to significant others, and comparing and differentiating person-centered therapy and other approaches.

KEYWORDS:

• Person-centered approach
• self-concept
• configurations
• interpretative-phenomenological analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alexandra Rizeakou

Alexandra Rizeakou (MSc) has studied Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has completed her Master’s in person-centered counselling and psychotherapy in the College for Humanistic Sciences (ICPS) and she works as a counselling psychologist in Athens.

Maria Kefalopoulou

Maria Kefalopoulou (PhD, ECP) has studied Social Psychology in France (Paris-Χ-Νanterre, Paris-VIIDenis Diderot) and she is academic lead in Counseling and Psychotherapy at ICPS- College for Humanistic Sciences, Athens, Greece, as well as trainer and supervisor of the Person-Centered Training Programs (ICPS). She is member of the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP), member of the WAPCEPC and Co- Editor of the PCEP Journal.