Gender Dynamics in Person-Centered Therapy: Does gender matter?
Gillian Proctor
Abstract. In this paper I begin to consider the impact of gender role socialisation on attitudes, expectations and the dynamics of power in person-centered therapy. It is argued in Proctor (2004) that part of gender role socialisation could also be construed as gendered conditions of worth in person-centered theory. Both person-centered and feminist theories suggest that gender role socialisation or gendered conditions of worth limit and restrict the potential of both women and men in our society. In what ways can person-centered therapy perpetuate or challenge gender role socialisation? I consider each possible gender pairing in therapy and discuss the potential dynamics that may arise to try to help person-centered therapists consider how gender dynamics may be relevant in therapy relationships.
Casting a Wider Empathic Net: A Case for reconsidering gender, dualistic thinking and person-centered theory and practice
Carol Wolter-Gustafson
Abstract. Gender is an intimately experienced feature of who each of us is as a person. Gender is also a source of theoretical upheaval. Reconceptualization of the concept of gender is underway throughout the academic world. Joining this effort, I give a brief overview of relevant feminist literature and explore some of the ways gender is treated in person-centered and experiential (PCE) theory and practice. I discuss a number of negative consequences in our theory and our life together that result from ignoring the effects of gender issues and suggest that increasing our empathic attention to the gendered context in which we live would prepare us to more fully embody the liberating potential with each other that is inherent in our theory, and better communicate that potential beyond the PCEP community.
Client-Centered Therapy and the Gender Issue
Jerold D. Bozarth and Kathryn A. Moon
Abstract. The intended evolution of client-centered theory and practice to incorporate explicitly such issues as gender only detracts from the essence of a universally potent approach to helping relationships. In relation to issues of gender, specific diagnoses and multicultural issues, altering the theory and practice by adding onto Carl Rogers’ original necessary and sufficient conditions violates the essence of the theory of client-centered therapy (CCT) and is an attempt to fix something not broken.
Men, Masculinity and Person-Centered Therapy
Ewan Gillon
Abstract. Issues of men and masculinity have rarely been considered in relation to the theory and practice of person-centered therapy. Such a focus is now required as a result of the need for a male-sensitive approach in the mental health and psychotherapeutic domains. This paper identifies some of the key questions and challenges presented to person-centered therapy by traditional masculinity, the dominant male gender identity in the western world. It offers some possible areas for the development of the person-centered approach in relation to these.
The relevance of a person-centered approach to therapy with transgendered or transsexual clients
Tina Livingstone
Abstract. In line with contemporary debate on the de-medicalization of distress, this paper advocates that the person-centered approach to counseling and psychotherapy offers more relevance to transgendered or transsexual clients than the present inclusion of Gender Identity Disorder/ Transsexualism as a Disorder of Personality and Behavior in American and international psychiatric diagnostic manuals. It explores the feeling of shame experienced by such clients through social stigmatization, the relevance of a phenomenological approach, and their particular need for empathy and affirmation.