Brief Description of Video with Person-Centered TheoryThe series of sessions that are conducted by psychotherapist Dr. Natalie Rogers involve developing associations for clients towards their own being by engaging in artistic practices and creating tangible, physical art implements that help them to focus on awareness and acceptance. (Rogers, 1993) In the particular video that I watched, Dr. Rogers conducted sessions with a woman named Suzen, who openly admits to struggling with negative thoughts and the overall tedium that is associated with the job that she has. In the beginning, it is evident that Suzen feels constricted by her lifestyle and many attributes of life itself. Yet, Dr. Rogers exudes an understanding presence and masterfully facilitates the exchange, further encouraging Suzen to implement the strategies that she is showing with the art itself. The implemented series of theories that Dr. Rogers uses focus on Person-Centered Therapy.
How this Theoretical Approach Resonates with Me
This video resonates with me due to the ability that it gives therapists to address present issues at the client’s own accord, while simultaneously helping to dispel any preconceived issues and doubts that they themselves have about what it is that they’re doing. Centralizing the approach in these practices is very effective and Dr. Rogers is able to masterfully facilitate the discussion, opening her client up to the therapy that she attempts to perform in a means that gives them comfort in themselves during the process. (8:10) The aim of these types of practices is to help provide the client with a sort of insight into ways to catalyze their own growth and to come to terms with particular attributes of their own personality and life. As is evident by this approach and the tests with Suzen, these forms of therapy are very powerful and effective with individuals who have a feeling of being stuck or are overwhelmed by life. Given the nature of Person-Centered Therapy, it focuses on active engagement of the client through talking and activities, helping to cultivate a sense of self and awareness.
Specific Interventions Used that Demonstrate this Theoretical Approach
The approach that Dr. Rogers employs is evident from the beginning when she has her client, Suzen, painting with her non-dominant hand. This in itself demonstrates the nature of the practice as it is non-interventionist, and asking Suzen to do something she wouldn’t otherwise be comfortable with on her own (being painting with her non-dominant hand). Both of these attributes of the approach are characteristic of Expressive Art Therapy. (Roth, Fonagy, 2005) Furthermore, the other acts that she conducts force her to become more aware of her own capacities and being, such as having her close her eyes and shape a clump of putty in her hands. (44:20)
This exercise is also used to help develop a means of self-awareness and by allowing the client to have a channel of expression that isn’t verbal, further helping to provide a sense of clarity as they mentally work through the issues present within their own lives. (Gabbard, 2005) The intervention occurred very early in the video, with the first major practice that Dr. Rogers had her do in painting with her non-dominant hand. (26:10) During these segment, Suzen claimed to feel a rush of emotions and it was evident in the tears that she was crying. All of the practices from this point on, Suzen had a sense of understanding and calm about her as she continued working with Dr. Rogers. Given that this form of psychotherapy integrates different forms of creative and artistic techniques and modalities, the focus is on techniques such as sound, drama, drawing, movement and language as a means to encourage the client to express themselves and to find comfort in their own being. (Malchiodi, 2003)
One Insight I Gained from Watching the Counselor on Film
One insight that I gained from watching Dr. Rogers is in the power of the approach that she has and in focusing on the facilitation aspect of the whole process. Facilitating the discussions and practices is important and Dr. Rogers displays that well. Her approach and emphasis on placing the person at the center of the practices helps to cultivate a deep appreciation and awareness within themselves. What makes this a masterful attempt at doing so is her approach and how she facilitates the exchange.
- Gabbard, Glen O. (2005). Psychodynamic Psychiatry in Clinical Practice (4th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
- Malchiodi, Cathy A. (2003). Expressive Therapies. New York: Guilford.
- Rogers, Natalie (1993) The Path to Wholeness: Person-Centered Expressive Arts Therapy. GoodTherapy.org Retrieved from:
- Roth A., and Fonagy P. (2005) What Works for Whom: A critical review of psychotherapy research. Second Edition. The Guildford Press.
