Even though the client centered way of thinking can rely on a vast empirical tradition and is evident in many ways, the writers of new guidelines have succeeded in omitting client centered psychotherapy from the body of conceptual guidelines for fear and mood disturbances. This is the consequence of a two sided problem: on the one hand a lack of knowledge of evidence in client centered therapy, on the other hand contemporary opinions on the idea of evidence itself. Especially the concept of levels of evidence will force the client centered way of thinking to lag behind in the field of psychotherapy.
Three possible reactions are described. The first one calls for rectification of the guidelines as well as for the adaptation of the client centered way of thinking to the new norms of evidence. Client centered therapists have to join forces and make sure that their therapy will be examined through trials. The problem with this first reaction is that a client centered approach will always remain in an underdog position.
The second reaction emerges from a broadening of the definition of mental disturbance to multiple layers, for example the context of the problem, a collection of complaints and symptoms, and a problem of adaptation.The model of stepped care that has been developed within 'The Gelderse Roos' (The Rose of Gelderland) gives a further explanation. Person centered therapies come into the picture when earlier treatments that concentrate on the context of the problem and the complaints proved to deliver insufficient results.
The third reaction is the most far reaching because the traditional medical model-views on treatment are put aside. The result is that we can focus on other 'empirical' achievements of client centered psychotherapy, like the therapeutical relation, empowerment and existence. As a result the client centered approach will help to elucidate and influence the themes that belong in the center of attention of Mental Health Care.
The tPeP (Journal Person-centered experiential Psychotherapy) is the scientific journal for Dutch and Flemish psychotherapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, that work from, or are interested in a client-centered perspective.
