Person-Centered Therapy: A Philosophy to Support Early Childhood Education

Abstract

Person-centered therapy (PCT) comes from the experiential and relationship-oriented therapy tradition. It is considered to be a third force in therapeutic engagement, along with the psychoanalytic and behavioral approaches. PCT is based on faith in and empowerment of human beings to be joyful, creative, self-fulfilled and willing and able to connect with others, both socially and emotionally. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to explore the potential union of PCT with early childhood education. The author will first describe the PCT model along with how its aspects can be used to help early childhood educators mentor young children. The author will conclude the paper with a summary of the implications for therapeutic practice in the classroom.

The Effects of Childhood Trauma on College Completion

“…Embracing this framework may seem foreign to academics, however, tenets of trauma-informed care already parallel common frameworks used in education settings such as learner-centered theory. Learner-centered theories have been implemented in education settings with the hopes of fostering conducive mentoring between educators and students (Boyer, 2016;Cornelius-White, 2008). Core components of learner-centered theory emphasize sharing control and choice between educators and students, shifting the focus towards the learner (as opposed to the teacher), and mutual endorsement of learning projects (Cornelius-White, 2008).…”

Complementary Aspects in Reality Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy

“…In the past few years, both approaches are trying to expand their area of effectiveness (e.g. the PCT in groups and in educational environment, the RT in individual therapy), through studies that reveal an opening towards adapting the therapeutic process to the individual or to the groups they are targeting (Mohd Sa'ad, Yusooff, Nen, & Subhi, 2014;Jegathesan, Shoba, & Thanaraj, 2016;Pedigo, Robey, & Christiansen, 2016;Boyer, 2016).…”

A phenomenological study of how high school teachers experience, exhibit, and develop empathy

“…Person-centered learning is rooted in the experimental and relationship-oriented therapy tradition (Boyer, 2015). Corey (2013) described person-centered therapy as a therapy based on faith and the belief that human beings are willing and able to make social and emotional connections with others.…”

“…The beginning and understanding of the importance of interpersonal relationships begin in early childhood education (Boyer, 2009;Blair & Diamond, 2008). As such, early childhood researchers have advocated the importance of person-centered learning in early childhood education (Boyer, 2015). Boyer (2015) articulated the importance of the creation of an empathetic learning environment, where the teacher shows warmth, loyalty, and understanding for person-centered learning to flourish.…”

“…Person-centered learning is rooted in the experimental and relationship-oriented therapy tradition (Boyer, 2015). popularized person-centered therapy with the belief if the patient was to improve, the counselor must show the patient warmth, understanding, empathy, and compassion.…”