Presenter: Congruence in Action

Description

Workshop description:

Congruence is at the heart of person-centred therapy. The theory of the approach positions congruence not only as a necessary therapist condition in the therapeutic relationship for change to occur but also as the change that clients experience in the therapeutic process: that is, becoming more congruent.

Research can test theory in the real world but the results of research must also be tested for fit with real world experiences. In this workshop, I will share a model of congruent functioning that I have proposed as a contemporary reframing ofRogers’ theory (Stephen, 2023). It was developed using data collected on a questionnaire called the Strathclyde Inventory, which Elizabeth (Beth) Freire created as a theoretically-consistent measure of outcome in person-centred therapy. I will explain how my research builds on Beth’s work and how the congruent functioning model developed from it. Together we will reflect and discuss if this proposed model of congruent functioning fits with our experiences of how clients change during person-centred therapy. We will also explore if congruent functioning feels relevant for us as therapists and, if so, what challenges we experience in nurturing this for ourselves. If there is time and interest, we will also look at preliminary evidence about how congruent functioning appears to differ across cultures.

This workshop is closely linked to 2 other PCT Scotland workshops being delivered by Louise Wilson (the person-centred approach a call to arms - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/882833999257?aff=oddtdtcreator) and Terry Daly (an example of person centred counselling - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/882835483697?aff=oddtdtcreator)

Susan Stephen is a person-centred counsellor and supervisor based inGlasgow. She is a lecturer in counselling at the University of Strathclyde, Director of the Strathclyde Counselling and Psychotherapy Research Clinic, and a co-editor of the international journal, Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies.

Period	9 Nov 2024
Degree of Recognition	National