A critique of nondirectivity in the person-centered approach

This article discusses the concept of nondirectivity in person-centered the ory. It argues that, since personal and theoretical biases are unavoidable, it is impossible for a therapist to be consistently nondirective. Furtherm ore, the concept of nondirectivity, with its focus on the psychology of the client;, implies that person-centered therapy is a one-person father than a two-person psychology. The article quotes therapists who believe that whe n a client's autonomy is respected, a wide variety of therapeutic intervent ions are possible. The argument is made that therapist fallibility may be a more relevant concept than nondirectivity. With the fallibility of the the rapist and a respect for the autonomy of the client, therapeutic responses can become more flexible and innovative, increasing the power of the person -centered approach with its unique and admirable democratic ideals.