Congruence and wearable bio-trackers: a new look at an old concept with mixed methods self-as-subject examples

Abstract

Congruence is a core concept in the practice of person-centered counseling and therapy. However, as a complex concept, the operationalization of congruence has conventionally been limited. This is more so true when considering its discussion in relation to organismic integration, the formative tendency, and extensionality. Wearable bio-trackers offer utility for organismic integration in counseling and counselor education by offering objective insights into subjective phenomenon and revealing information that is often subceived rather than directly perceived, such as to understand stress and sleep. They are becoming increasingly utilized, particularly as smartphones have become ubiquitous and more surveilling, for better or worse. Some have become highly accurate, thereby allowing greater integration of biological markers into self-awareness and actualization. This paper offers specific examples with self-as-subject heuristic responses to detailed bio-tracker data for the author’s experiences at the PCE 2024 conference, including in relation to inter-continental travel, delivering a talk, and participating in an encounter group. It concludes with limitations, critiques, and implications for practice and future research of bio-trackers for developing congruence in counseling-related contexts.

Department(s)

School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences

Document Type

Article

DOI

10.1080/14779757.2025.2503985

Keywords

fitness trackers, organismic integration, Person-centered therapy, self-as-subject heuristic inquiry, Whoop

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Journal Title

Person Centered and Experiential Psychotherapies

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