The development of congruence: a thematic analysis of person-centered counselors’ perspectives

ABSTRACT According to the person-centered theory of therapy, the therapist’s congruence is one of the necessary and sufficient conditions for therapeutic personality change. However, the development of therapists’ congruence has received limited research attention. This study was designed to explore the ways in which eight experienced person-centered therapists fostered their congruence. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Analysis of the data was based on the qualitative method of thematic analysis. The research findings yielded four main themes, along with a number of sub-themes, which reflected the ways in which these person-centered therapists enhanced, and continue to enhance, their congruence. These are: a life-lasting ongoing process, the importance of constant care, the role of relationships, and being in contact. The findings suggest that the development of congruence is a gradual process closely related to the lifelong personal and professional growth of therapists and that it needs active and constant care on multiple levels. The findings highlight the importance of personal and professional relationships in nurturing congruence and point to the necessity of a person-centered therapist being in contact with his or her self and the client. This study has important implications in the literature, training, and practice of person-centered therapists.