The ‘Core Conditions’ Session Nine

Session Aims

Find evidence of meeting the CPCAB criteria in your portfolios

Introduce the ideas of Carl Rogers and in particular his ‘core conditions’ for a therapeutic relationship.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session you will be able to:

Demonstrate how you meet the CPCAB criteria

Explain what is meant by empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard

Define the phrase ‘conditions of worth’

Describe what Carl Rogers means by therapeutic change.

Last Session

1. Learnt the difference between open and closed questions

2. Demonstrated the use of creative questions using the Change Model

Contents of this Session

Extended ice-breaker – Family RulesMeeting the CPCAB criteria – small groupsThe ‘core conditions’- small groupsPresentation on core conditions and conditions of

worthWorksheet – the difference between sympathy and

empathyPresentation on Conditions of Worth and

Therapeutic ChangeThe final weekA round

Ice-Breaker – Family Rules

Working in pairs

Take ten minutes to explore and list the overt and covert rules that governed your family life as you grew up

From your list choose one or two that can be shared with the whole group when we discuss this topic

Portfolios and Criteria

Carl Rogers (1902 – 1987)

1. Humanistic Psychology

2. Self Actualising Tendency

3. Conditions of Worth

4. Therapeutic Relationship

5. Therapeutic Change

Core Conditions Exercise 15 minutes

Form three groups:

EmpathyCongruenceUnconditional Positive Regard (UPR)

Discuss what your concept meansSay why it is important within a therapeutic relationshipSay how you would demonstrate that quality in your

listening.

Record your findings on flip chart paper to present to the whole group

Presentations

Empathy

To understand and share in the client’s experience without judging.

To feel emotionally connected to the client and their experience; to be fully present whilst they explore and develop their own understanding

Prizing our uniqueness and our common humanity

Congruence

Being honest and straight with people

Being transparent

Being trust worthy

Unconditional Positive Regard

Acceptance

To respect, prize and value the client for who they are - without conditions

Being non-judgemental

Any Thoughts?

Empathy and Sympathy

Take a few minutes, with a partner, to consider the differences between these two approaches:

Empathy Sympathy

Feedback

Conditions of Worth

The conditions we must meet as children in order to gain love and affection from our parents and carers.

Conditions of worth influence our personality development.

We may end up living a life determined by the values and beliefs of others, a life that is inhibited and closed off.

Therapeutic Change

If the client experiences a relationship marked by the core conditions then he or she can be their selves.

They can be congruent: their social self is softened and their authentic self emerges.

Self-actualisation begins.

Final SessionNext week is the final session and you will be:

1. Ending2. Handing in your Portfolio3. Having fun4. Giving positive affirmations5. Giving feedback6. Saying goodbye7. Bringing food along is optional

Learning OutcomesYou are now able to:

1. Hand in your portfolio next week (well … nearly)

2. Explain what is meant by empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard

3. Identify conditions of worth4. Describe what Rogers means by therapeutic

change.

Well done Everybody!