1. Constructing a protecting aspect of personality (existing/manifesting in world of client’s conditions of worth) / rigid self comes into view – as a means of protecting the conditions of worth/rigid self and allowing it to function (albeit restrictedly)
2. Domination of other/dissonant aspects of personality by protecting aspect
3. Rebellion of the dissonant aspects
4. Conflict between/among aspects of personality with intensity of emotion eg fear, anger, frustration, depression, sadness, despair, despondency and times/episodes of:

  • immobility/stuckness when the first signs of beginning change in self-concept were arrested
  • counter-revolution – reassertion of protecting aspect driving rebellious/dissonant aspects underground
5. Slow and very partial at first – and maybe threatened by further conflict – emergence of hope perhaps through

    • effect of becoming able to listen to competing aspects
    • obtaining a partial undertsanding of them
    • an early realisation that all have been doing their best for the survival of the self at different times of life

laying the first bricks for the:

6. Growth of self-acceptance to what can become a more self-accepting personality construction involving less schism and more acceptance of its elements creating a broader and firmer base for relating with others

(Adapted from Dave Mearns, ‘The Dance of Psychotherapy’ (1994), Person-Centred Practice: The BAPCA Reader, ed. Tony Merry (Ross-on-Wye: PCCS, 2000) 85.)

 

 

‘Rogers’ Process Continuum”