The Intersubjective Perspective and the Client Centered Approach: Are They One at Their Core?

Abstract

This article reviews the change from a oneperson to a twoperson psychology in psychoanalysis. In particular, Robert Stoiorow's intersubjectivity theory is presented and then contrasted with the clientcentered approach to therapy. lt is concluded that contemporary clientcentered therapy is a twoperson psychology, and that welltrained clientcentered therapists do reflect on their own subjectivity and how it influences the client. With their important similarities it seems that the clientcentered and self psychology approaches are one at their core. Self psychology has more elaborate theorizing about the therapy process, while the clientcentered approach is interested in applying its principles outside of therapy so that people can live more constructively.