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A Critique of Nondirectivity in the Person-Centered Approach

Queensborough Community College, the City University of New York

This article discusses the concept of nondirectivity in person-centered theory. It argues that, since personal and theoretical biases are unavoidable, it is impossible for a therapist to be consistently nondirective. Furthermore, the concept of nondirectivity, with its focus on the psychology of the client, implies that person-centered therapy is a one-person rather than a two-person psychology. The article quotes therapists who believe that when a client’s autonomy is respected, a wide variety of therapeutic interventions are possible. The argument is made that therapist fallibility may be a more relevant concept than nondirectivity. With the fallibility of the therapist 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.

Journal of Humanistic Psychology, Vol. 39, No. 4, 94-110 (1999)
DOI: 10.1177/0022167899394006


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