ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Client-centered therapy

Client-centered therapy is a way that some people help other people when they are feeling sad or scared. Imagine you have a friend who is feeling really down and doesn't know what to do. A client-centered therapist would say to the friend, "What can I do to help you? What do you think might make you feel better?"

The therapist would listen carefully to the friend and try to understand how they are feeling without judging them. They would repeat back what the friend said to make sure they understood it correctly. They would also try to help the friend feel accepted and respected, no matter what they are going through.

Another important part of client-centered therapy is to help the friend trust their own feelings and thoughts. Instead of telling them what to do, the therapist would encourage the friend to come up with their own solutions. They would also help the friend see things from different perspectives and find new ways of looking at problems.

Overall, client-centered therapy is all about helping someone feel heard, understood, and valued. It can be a really helpful way for people to deal with difficult emotions and make positive changes in their lives.
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