Person-Centered Psychological Services offers doctoral students an intensive one-year training in classical, nondirective, Client-Centered Therapy and the Person-Centered Approach. The site welcomes doctoral students seeking therapy and advanced practicum training experiences. Emphasizing genuine empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence, PCPS offers training that nurtures trainees' development in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment.
We are aim to provide a supportive network of staff and supervisors, ensuring trainees have access to additional consultation, feedback, and support. Emphasizing reflective practice, PCPS guides trainees in individual and group sessions to engage in self-examination, learn from experiences, and foster personal and professional growth.
Key aspects of our approach to training and supervision include:
Person-Centered Approach to Supervision
PCPS's supervision approach embodies the principles of client-centered therapy, creating a supportive and nonjudgmental environment for trainees. Supervisors demonstrate empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence, fostering a collaborative and trusting relationship with trainees. This approach empowers trainees to take responsibility for their learning and development.
1. Client-centered supervision:
2. Ample individual and group consultations:
PCPS ensures that trainees have access to staff and supervisors for additional guidance and assistance. Individual consultations allow for personalized feedback and support, while group sessions promote collaborative learning and peer feedback. These diverse opportunities help trainees refine their therapeutic skills, address challenges, and foster personal and professional growth.
3. Focus on self-exploration, personal growth, and congruence:
4. Utilization of recorded sessions:
Supervision encourages trainees to engage in self-exploration and personal growth. By developing self-awareness, trainees can recognize and address any incongruence within their therapeutic relationships. Supervisors guide trainees to align their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, enhancing their effectiveness as therapists and fostering congruence in their personal lives.
PCPS incorporates electronically recorded therapy sessions as a valuable tool for improving therapeutic techniques. Supervisors and trainees review these recordings together, discussing the trainee's approach, identifying areas for growth, and developing strategies to enhance their therapeutic effectiveness.
5. Process-oriented supervision:
6. Evidence-Based Outcome Measures:
PCPS emphasizes the ongoing process of personal and professional development rather than solely evaluating specific skills or techniques. Supervisors and trainees engage in reflective practice, exploring trainees' experiences, challenges, and growth throughout the practicum year. This focus on the trainee's developmental process helps build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and continuous improvement in their clinical practice.
PCPS is committed to utilizing evidence-based outcome measures to assess the effectiveness of the therapeutic relationships established by trainees. One such measure is the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory (BLRI), which evaluates the empathic-relational qualities of the person-centered therapeutic relationship that are predictive of therapeutic outcomes. The BLRI is a widely recognized and respected tool for assessing the quality of therapeutic relationships in person-centered therapy. It measures key elements such as empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, which are considered essential for promoting client growth and change.
