What aspect of therapy does the Person-Centered approach emphasize?

The Person-Centered approach emphasizes the belief that clients possess an inherent ability to direct their own healing and personal growth. This perspective is rooted in the idea that individuals are capable of self-exploration and understanding their own needs, feelings, and experiences. The therapist's role in this approach is to provide a supportive and empathetic environment that fosters self-discovery, rather than imposing structure, guidance, or solutions. This empowers clients to take an active role in their therapy, facilitating a process that is genuinely tailored to their unique experiences.

In contrast, a focus on structured therapeutic frameworks, first-hand experiences of the therapist, or past traumas does not align with the core principles of the Person-Centered approach. It does not prioritize the therapist's own experiences as central to the therapeutic process, nor does it impose a fixed structure, as would be seen in more directive therapeutic models. Additionally, while understanding past traumas can be important in therapy, the Person-Centered approach emphasizes the client's present feelings and experiences over historical events, advocating for a more holistic, self-directed therapeutic process.