Person-Centered Therapy for Growth & Connection
Lillian Freundlich, M.Ed., believes therapy works best when it honors each person’s experience. Her approach to person-centered therapy helps clients find strength and connection in their everyday lives. As both a therapy for young adults specialist and an LGBTQ affirming therapist, she creates a space grounded in trust, curiosity, and collaboration. Through empathy and respect, she helps people uncover their capacity for change and build a life that feels authentic.
Contact Lillian to schedule a free, 15-minute therapy consultation.
What Is Person-Centered Therapy?
At the heart of person-centered therapy is the belief that growth begins with feeling understood. Her approach to therapy emphasizes collaboration, empathy, and self-awareness, helping each person connect with their values and strengths.
“Being a person-centered therapist, I operate from the perspective that the client is the expert in their own life. I believe my clients have the inherent capacity to grow and build the life they desire. I view my role as a facilitator, rather than a leader, of change.”
This approach treats therapy as partnership, not prescription. Clients lead the conversation while Lillian offers guidance and reflection. Among the types of therapy she integrates are multicultural and feminist frameworks—all anchored by a person-centered foundation. The model is especially supportive in therapy for young adults, where clients are learning to trust their own voices.
Centering the Client as the Expert in Person-Centered Therapy
In session, Lillian encourages clients to identify what matters most to them. She listens closely and invites reflection instead of offering quick solutions. For many young adults, that collaboration restores confidence and a sense of control. Clients leave with tools for self-awareness and decision-making—core outcomes of person-centered therapy.
A Framework Rooted in Equality and Respect
Lillian blends feminist and multicultural perspectives to ensure therapy reflects the realities of identity and power.
“As a feminist therapist, it is important for me to build a more equitable relationship between myself and the client. I also bring myself into the therapeutic relationship; I am not a completely neutral, blank slate.”
Her openness helps clients see therapy as a relationship between equals, a quality many seek in an LGBTQ affirming therapist.
Building Safety and Trust in Person-Centered Therapy
Safety is the cornerstone of Lillian’s work. Her own time as a client taught her how deeply consistency and attention matter.
“I have had therapists who were wonderful, therapists who forgot the basic details of my life, therapists who meant well but were the wrong fit, and everywhere in-between…I want my clients to feel safe, that their vulnerability is honored, and that there is value coming back to therapy week after week.”
She approaches each session with care and attunement, showing clients—especially young adults—that their stories are remembered and respected. Her office and virtual sessions serve as safe spaces where clients can explore emotions and experiences without fear of judgment. She understands that every person brings their own unique challenges, shaped by identity, relationships, and life stage, and meets each client with curiosity and respect.
Lessons from Sitting in the Client’s Chair
Because she has been a client herself, Lillian understands how it feels to be on the other side of the room. That empathy shapes how she listens, tracks details, and invites honesty. Clients quickly learn that therapy is not about judgment but genuine support. This transparency makes person-centered therapy feel safe from the very start.
The Foundation of Authentic Connection
Lillian views therapy as shared work. She welcomes feedback, adjusts pacing, and celebrates progress. This mutual trust allows clients to explore uncomfortable emotions without fear. In a world that often demands perfection, she offers presence instead of pressure.
A Queer-Centered, Feminist Approach to Person-Centered Therapy
Lillian considers therapy a form of social care.
“We do not exist in a vacuum; we are constantly impacted by social, political, economic, and familial systems…I fundamentally believe that building a more just and compassionate society begins with taking care of the individuals within it.”
Her role as an LGBTQ affirming therapist reflects that belief: change begins when individuals feel seen and valued.
What It Means to Be an LGBTQ Affirming Therapist
Affirming therapy creates safety for exploration.
“Whether my clients plan to focus on issues related to gender, sexuality, or identity in therapy, or if queerness is simply part of the fabric of who they are, I support my clients from a queer-centric lens.”
This includes affirming clients across diverse gender identities, offering a safe, respectful space for all forms of self-expression. Clients who once felt misunderstood discover a place of full acceptance. For many young adults, permission to be authentic is the starting point for healing.
Centering Women’s Emotional and Relational Needs
Within CFR’s Women’s Psychological Health Services, Lillian helps women reclaim time for their own care.
“As women, we are often expected to provide significant emotional, caregiving, and logistical support to everyone around us… While it can be difficult to prioritize and create space for our own needs, therapy provides an important opportunity for care for yourself.”
Through person-centered therapy, women learn that caring for themselves sustains—not competes with—the care they offer others.
Navigating Life Transitions Through Person-Centered Therapy
Transitions can be messy and unpredictable. Lillian supports clients—particularly those in therapy for young adults—as they move through these uncertain periods.
“Uncertainty is a near constant companion of transition—and discomfort and distress often follow closely behind.”
By grounding clients in the present, she helps them approach change with curiosity instead of fear.
Embracing Change with Self-Trust
Lillian teaches that there is no single “right” path. With reflection and compassion, clients learn to tolerate uncertainty and build flexibility. This process is central to person-centered therapy, where self-trust becomes both the method and the goal.
Growth Beyond the Therapy Room
“While I love building long-term relationships with my clients, I ultimately hope my clients build the confidence to navigate the challenges and stressors of life without me.”
Her goal is independence. Clients leave therapy with skills for emotional regulation, communication, and connection—evidence that real growth lasts beyond the session.
Women’s Psychological Health Services at Council for Relationships
Council for Relationships’ Women’s Psychological Health Services program provides specialized therapy for women and people navigating gendered experiences. The program emphasizes empathy, empowerment, and inclusive care. Lillian’s feminist and person-centered therapy approach reflects WPHS’s mission to help clients strengthen confidence and connection.
Explore CFR’s Women’s Psychological Health Services and get matched with a therapist who understands your story.
Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Council for Relationships.
Contact Lillian to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation.
About Philadelphia Therapist Lillian Freundlich, M.Ed.
Lillian Freundlich, M.Ed., is a Staff Therapist at Council for Relationships and a member of Women’s Psychological Health Services. She works with individuals (ages 15+) and couples, both in-person and online. Her integrative practice includes feminist, multicultural, person-centered therapy, with a focus on relational growth.
“I offer a free 15-minute consultation to potential new clients.”
Lillian welcomes anyone seeking a compassionate, inclusive space—whether starting therapy, exploring identity, or navigating change.
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