What approach in therapy encourages clients to guide their own treatment decisions?

Client-centered therapy is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the importance of clients playing an active role in their own treatment decisions. This approach, pioneered by Carl Rogers, is built on the belief that individuals have the innate ability to understand their own needs and make choices that lead to personal growth and self-actualization.

In client-centered therapy, the therapist acts as a facilitator rather than a director, providing an empathetic and non-judgmental environment where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts and feelings. This supportive atmosphere allows clients to take the lead in identifying issues and determining what goals they wish to pursue in therapy. As a result, they become more empowered and engaged in their healing process, leading to greater personal insight and self-direction.

This contrasts with directive therapy, where the therapist typically takes a more authoritative role in guiding the treatment process. Behavioral therapy and cognitive therapy also tend to focus on specific techniques or interventions led by the therapist, rather than allowing clients to guide their own treatment decisions. Thus, client-centered therapy uniquely champions the client’s agency and perspective within the therapeutic journey.