assessment, and therapeutic“techniques”are gener-
ally eschewed. Humanistic-existential approaches are
similar to client-centered therapy in that they empha-
size the client’s free will, inner potential, and ability
to get in touch with her or his emotions. Finally, the
emergence of process-experiential therapy, which
integrates the client-centered and Gestalt therapy tra-
ditions, represents an important new development in
this field. Emotion-Focused Therapy, in particular,
has emerged as a viable evidence-based treatment
for couples and for individuals with depression.
These forms of treatment have made several
noteworthy contributions to the field of psycho-
therapy. Clients’internal experience, feelings, free
will, and growth potential have been brought to
the forefront. Demonstrating the importance of
the therapeutic relationship and of rapport is
another major contribution. However, these forms
of therapy also present some problems. The some-
times prejudicial language used implies that other
approaches are insensitive and harmful. Feelings
seem to be overemphasized, and behavior under-
emphasized. Obscure and jargony language is
often used, and there is a strong bias against empiri-
cal research and formal assessment. How these
forms of treatment will be modified, or if they
will even survive in their present form, remains to
be seen. A number of trends (e.g., managed behav-
ioral health care) pose threats to the popularity and
utility of these forms of psychotherapy.KEY TERMS
client-centered therapyApsychotherapy
developed by Carl Rogers that emphasizes the
importance of the client’s perceptions of his or her
experience and recognizes an inherent human
tendency toward developing one’s capacities. This
therapy orientation seeks to facilitate the client’s
growth potential.
congruenceOne of the three therapist charac-
teristics considered essential for client-centered
work (also referred to asgenuineness). Congruence
refers to the honest expression by the therapist of
the behaviors, feelings, and attitudes that have
been stimulated by the client.
de-reflectionA technique described by Frankl in
which the client is instructed to ignore a trouble-
some behavior or symptom in order to divert his
or her attention to more constructive thoughts or
activities.
Emotion-Focused TherapyA psychotherapy
that integrates the client-centered and Gestalt
psychotherapy traditions. At the heart of EFT is
the theoretical proposition that emotions are
fundamentally adaptive and that emotions give our
life experience its value, meaning, and direction.
empathyOne of the three therapist characteristics
considered essential for client-centered work.
Empathy refers to sensitivity to the needs, feelings,
and circumstances of clients so that they feel
understood.
existential psychologyAn orientation to psy-
chology that views people as engaged in a search
for meaning.
Gestalt games“Games”developed by the
Gestaltists to emphasize the“rules”of Gestalt
therapy. Often, these games may involve making
prescribed verbalizations or engaging in various
role-plays.
growth potentialA capacity for competence that
all individuals possess. The goal of client-centered
therapy is to release this capacity.
humanismAn approach to psychology that views
individuals as unified, whole, and unique beings
who exercise free choice and strive to develop
their inner potentials.
logotherapy(Literally,“the therapy of meaning.”)
A widely known form of existential therapy
developed by Victor Frankl that encourages the
client (a) to find meaning in what appears to be aPSYCHOTHERAPY: PHENOMENOLOGICAL AND HUMANISTIC-EXISTENTIAL PERSPECTIVES 395