Assessment 2: Individual Written Essay (35%) Due Date Week 7 A written individual essay comparing and contrasting two different theories in counselling of choice. ▪ Students are required to submit a...

The Person-Centred Approach and Gestalt Therapy
Psychologists adopt different approaches in dealing with clients exhibiting psychological distress or pain. Each approach has its own significance and roots and takes a unique approach to solving client problems. This report compares and contrasts the Person-Centred Approach and Gestalt Approach as a mode of psychological therapy for clients with distress. The comparison and contrast of these two therapies enables us to understand the commonalities and disparities between the two approaches. It helps us understand how the two theories take different approaches to reach the same end. It concludes with a discussion on how some researchers are evaluating a merger between the two theories.
The Gestalt approach was developed during the 1950’s by Frederick Perls. It aimed at creating a client-centred approach that helped therapists encourage clients to resolve unfinished thinking and feeling processes by themselves. Gestalt theory focusses on the present experience rather than the past experience of clients and encourages the client to understand and recognize their present feelings rather than those of the past. While looking at their feelings in the present, clients are encouraged to explore new possibilities and view their present life in a different light, thereby revolutionizing their character and finding their own solutions (Yontef, & Jacobs, 1989).
The Person-centred approach to therapy was developed based on Carl Roger’s theory on human personality in the 1940’s. The theory focuses on human experience and maintains that it is one’s experience and interactions that create a person’s perception of himself. The theory then uses the human experience to help an individual understand and resolve his own conflicts. This therapy is based on deep trust between the client and the therapist. The client is encouraged to open up to the therapist and the therapist then helps the client to resolve his incongruence. The therapist is thus expected to be deeply understanding, involved and be able to create a connection with the client. Person centred therapy also relies on the present condition of client rather than his past or future (Cooper, 2007)....