person centered therapy
Founder - Carl Rogers (1903-1987)
The Person Centered or Humanistic theory has basic assumptions that people are essentially trustworthy, that they have a vast potential for understanding themselves and resolving their own problems without direct intervention on the therapist part and that they are capable of self directed growth, if they are involved in a therapeutic relationship.
Everyone is free to choose what they become by creating their own values and undertaking actions in accordance with those values. Emotional distress comes from acting in accordance with other people's values instead of their own. The therapist facilitates the client's search for self awareness and a positive self image in a non-directive manner. Person Centered therapy hopes to achieve therapeutic conditions which include congruence or genuineness, unconditional positive regard and acceptance, empathic understanding.