Congruence in Person-Centered Therapy: What is congruence?

• A. The therapist avoids self-disclosure to maintain objectivity.
• B. The real self and the ideal self are the same.
• C. The therapist uses standard therapeutic manuals strictly.
• D. The therapist imposes personal values on the client.

Answer: (B)

Congruence is about alignment between how a person truly is (the real self) and how they would like to be or how they perceive themselves (the ideal self). When these two aspects match, there’s a seamless, authentic sense of self, with less internal conflict and defensiveness. In person-centered therapy, this inner alignment supports growth because experiences are felt and processed as they are, rather than being distorted to fit a self-image. The therapist fosters this by being genuine and accepting, which helps the client move toward a more integrated self. The idea that congruence means the real self and the ideal self are the same captures that sense of harmony the approach aims for.