A potential limitation of person-centered therapy is that the counselor may:

• A. The counselor uses predictive testing
• B. The therapy is overly structured
• C. The therapist provides too much directive guidance
• D. The counselor may lack genuine empathy

Answer: (D)

In person-centered therapy, empathic understanding is essential for growth. The therapist aims to deeply grasp the client's inner world and convey that understanding in a way that the client feels truly heard and accepted. When genuine empathy is present, clients can explore emotions honestly and self-discover in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. If the counselor lacks this genuine empathy, the alliance can weaken: the client may sense distance or insincerity, feel unheard, and be less willing to open up, which curtails the therapeutic process. Because this approach emphasizes non-directiveness and the therapist’s authentic, empathic stance, a lack of genuine empathy stands out as a meaningful limitation. The other options don’t fit the model—predictive testing, excessive structure, or directive guidance run counter to the client-led, exploratory nature of person-centered therapy.