THENon-directive approach creative^MC (ANDC^MC) is a form of counseling which emphasizes the authenticity of the relation between the therapist and his client. It is not intended to be formal psychotherapy and differs from it in that it is not a treatment and does not require patient assessment.

The quality of the relationship forms the basis of the process of transformation of the “helper”. From the point of view of the Creative Non-Directive Approach, the greatest suffering and the greatest problems of the human being arise from his stressful relationship experiences, both past and present. Thus, the prolonged experience of a deep and genuine relationship with an emotional relationship specialist could transform the effect of these experiences and provide a lasting inner serenity.

The Creative Non-Directive Approach encourages recognition and expression of repressed emotions, its resistance and its basic needs, in order to free its own creative potential. The effectiveness of the Creative Non-Directive Approach relies less on a specific technique than on the quality of the therapist’s presence and his relationship with his client. In the context of meetings, it is above all by verbally expressing their experience and their needs that the individual reveals himself to himself. This can lead him to transform himself internally and to solve his specific problems. The climate of partner to buy and D’privacy, as well asunconditional acceptance of the therapist, are essential to foster this expression and discovery.

Since theCreative non-directive approach gives so much importance to affective and emotional dimension of the relationship with the therapist, the work that the latter must perform on himself during his training is capital. In addition to mastering the usual concepts of psychology, he must pursue a constant interior process to be able to truly welcome and accept the other with love and compassion without judging him, nor projecting his emotions, needs or solutions onto him.

La non-directivity of the approach allows the person in treatment to express himself completely freely. Feeling accepted and understood, she could thus regain control over her life. For his part, the therapist has, of course, a supervision responsibility. It gives the process a secure frame of reference with regard to time, space, fees, rules to follow, etc.

At the first meeting, the therapist invites the person to name the reasons and the objectives of his approach. Then, he informs him of the specifics of the approach. If a positive bond is established between the two people – which cannot be rationally explained – it is possible to begin the process.

One of the roles of the therapist is to reformulate what he observes and hears, in precise terms and in an objective manner. He does not interpret and does not assume anything. He can reflect the inner suffering of his client, lead him to specify it, and help him to discover solutions that are in harmony with him. The therapist therefore has no power over the person, except that of thelisten and help to elucidate its internal conflicts.

For example, someone who discovers that their temper tantrums come from certain “unconscious” expectations of their spouse will first have to genuinely realize of those expectations and then accept them. Only then will he be able to engage in solving the anger problem. With the help of the therapist, he will be able to discover in himself a more favorable way of behaving. Feeling welcomed and loved and accepting that their “expectations” are part of them are fundamental steps towards healing and inner transformation.

In addition to dialogue, the therapist can use scenarios or projective techniques when a person has difficulty expressing verbally what they are feeling. He can, for example, use various illustrations from which the person describes what the visual evokes in him.

The creator of the approach, Colette Portelance, a Quebecer with a doctorate in education, co-founded her school in 1989, with Francois Lavigne, graduate in clinical psychology and psychopathology. She introduced the principles of the Creative Non-Directive Approach in her book entitled Helping relationship and self-love, repeatedly reviewed and reissued. She developed her approach from her experience in counseling and pedagogy, and by drawing inspiration from various currents of modern psychology. She was particularly influenced by the work of the American humanist psychologist Carl Rogers^1-2 and the Bulgarian psychiatrist Georgi Lozanov³.

Rogers argued that it is not the theories, techniques, or correct interpretation of a person’s reality that help heal them, but rather the relationship between therapist and caregiver. In the 1960s, he also sowed controversy among the scientific community by claiming that professional skills are not decisive in the healing process. (See the Psychotherapy sheet on this subject.)

A contemporary of Rogers, the D^r Lozanov, the creator of the suggestologie, established a link between a person’s mental state and their ability to learn. Suggestology teaches that the state of mind in which we find ourselves at the time of learning is decisive. Calmness, fun and a healthy relationship with the teacher would be essential conditions for improving their learning and creative capacities.

The influence of Rogers and Lozanov was instrumental in recognizing the fundamental importance of the relational process in a therapeutic setting. But, the peculiarity of the Creative Non-Directive Approach is that in order to achieve truly beneficial results it would be essential for the therapist to do continuous work on himself. It could thus be centered not only on the savoir and on the doing, but especially on thebeing.

Like any form of helping relationship, theCreative non-directive approach aim theblossoming of the person and the psychological problem solving individuals. It is aimed at individuals of all ages wishing to improve their relationships with themselves and others. Its field of application is vast and lends itself equally well to individual, couple or group work. It applies particularly well to relationship difficulties of emotional, loving, educational and professional life. It also makes it possible to explore the disorders related to anxiety, depression, self-esteem, jealousy, aggressiveness, shyness, as well as personality disturbances, problems of adjustment (bereavement, separation) and sexual problems.

Psychotherapists in a Creative Non-Directive Approach consider that the psychic world does not lend itself to “objective” measurements. Therefore, it is only the testimonies of those who have undergone therapy and the observations of therapists, and not scientific evidence, that supports the effectiveness of the Creative Non-Directive Approach.

Many of the psychotherapists in a creative non-directive approach practice in private practice and clinics, but also in community settings, particularly in shelters for women in difficulty, in palliative care centers, drug addiction rehabilitation, etc.

The length of treatment varies depending on the problem and the individual’s pace, but generally a minimum of 10 sessions is required. For some, this number of sessions can be conclusive, while for others, the process can continue for several months, even several years.

Since the success of the approach depends on the authenticity of the relationship with the provider, take the time to choose a therapist with whom you will feel completely confident. Ask him questions, ask him to explain to you what the process is, if he has been successful with the people he has helped, what he thinks about your problem, etc.

To find a Creative Non-Directive Approach practitioner in your area, consult the International Association of Helping Relation Therapists of Canada (CITRAC) or the ANDC European Association of Psychotherapists (see Sites of Interest).

To obtain the title of Therapist in helping relationship (a protected title), you must follow the training offered by the Center de Relation d’Aide de Montréal or the International Training School at the ANDC. The program comprises 1 hours of training, spread over 250 years, including theory, practice, an internship and an individual approach. Various specialized programs are also offered after the basic training is completed (see Sites of interest).

Portelance Colette. Helping Relationships and Self-Love: The Creative Non-Directive Approach in Psychotherapy and Pedagogy, Éditions du CRAM, Canada, 2009.

The Foundations of the Creative Non-Directive Approach.

See the many other books by Colette Portelance, on couples, education, communication, relationships, etc. on the Éditions du CRAM website.

Lozanov Georgi. Suggestology and elements of suggestopedia, Éditions Sciences et culture, Canada, 1984.

The founder of suggestology explains the principles of his learning method. A tool to be put into practice in medicine, psychotherapy and pedagogy.

Rogers Carl. The helping relationship and psychotherapy, French Social Editions, France, 12^e edition, 1999.

On non-directive listening in the helping relationship, an approach developed by Carl Rogers during the 1960s, based on human capacities for self-realization.

ANDC European Association of Psychotherapists

All kinds of information on the approach and directory of members.

www.andc.eu

Association for Humanistic Psychology

The association brings together psychotherapists and individuals who adhere to humanistic psychology, based on the ability of the human being to be master of his own destiny. The site is full of resources on this stream, of which the ANDC is a part.

http://ahpweb.org

Montreal Help Relation Center (CRAM) / ANDC International Training School (EIF)

The site of the vocational training school in ANDC. Presentation of the approach, description of training programs and costs, etc.

www.cram-eif.org

International Corporation of Counseling Therapists of Canada (CITRAC)

The site of the association of psychotherapists trained at the ANDC. Presentation of the therapeutic process, services offered, directory of members, etc.

www.citrac.ca

Personality Theories: Carl Rogers (1902-1987)

A site which presents a biography of the American psychologist Carl Rogers as well as his theory on the development of the person, which deeply influenced the ANDC.

http://webspace.ship.edu