The dynamics of non-directive psychotherapy

Counseling: Eclectic Or Systematic?

“…The use of the appropriate technique at the appropriate moment promises more effective results than rigid adherence to any one method. 2. Selection of the appropriate therapy from an &dquo;armament of therapies&dquo; by a skillful worker on the basis of diagnostic and case history techniques gives greater promise of success than systematic counseling.…”

Direct approaches to treatment.

“…It promotes an atmosphere that is relaxing, and allows the person to feel that he can discuss the most personal of matters. Meister and Miller (38) stress that the counselor's acceptance of the client is the crux of therapy, that this relationship places the client in an "accepting environment"-in a situation in which he has to begin a new and better adjustment. It is noteworthy that clients typically make statements similar to the following in commenting on this relationship:…”

Creative adjustment.

“…Before he can proceed to experiment with his difficulties, use trial and error to solve his problem and build new traits, he needs to have faith in himself, know that he is fundamentally sound, and also see how this problem came about-how he, being what he is, is the basis for the problem. Stated succinctly, this involves the process of understanding ourselves, accepting ourselves for what we are, good or bad, feeling that both qualities are a part of the personality, possibly becoming emotionally free or calm by this acceptance, and then looking outward toward the adventure of using our interests and ordinary talents in a creative, self-satisfying, useful manner (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25). This we might call effective or creative adjustment, because it does not involve mechanical drill but a discovery of what we are basically, what role we can play in life, what materials we can use, in what environment we can best place ourselves, and then a development into that role as an adventure rather than as a task.…”