Which counseling approach seeks congruence between the real and ideal self?

The focus of person-centered humanistic counseling is fundamentally centered on the concept of self. This approach, developed by Carl Rogers, emphasizes the importance of achieving congruence between the real self, which represents who a person actually is, and the ideal self, which reflects who they aspire to be. In this therapeutic framework, individuals are encouraged to explore their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors in a supportive environment, leading to greater self-awareness and self-acceptance. The aim is to help individuals remove the barriers to achieving this congruence, fostering personal growth and fulfillment. By emphasizing unconditional positive regard, empathy, and authenticity, the person-centered approach facilitates a transformative experience for clients as they work towards aligning their real and ideal selves.

The other counseling approaches mentioned do not specifically prioritize this alignment in the same way. Existential counseling focuses more on finding meaning in life and dealing with issues of existence. Psychoanalytic counseling delves into unconscious processes and early experiences to understand behavior, rather than explicitly aiming for self-congruence. Rational-emotive counseling targets irrational beliefs that lead to emotional distress but does not centrally address the notion of congruence between the real and ideal self.