In person-centered counseling, what are the advantages and disadvantages gained from retaining some power difference?

The goal of person-centered therapy is to empower the client to make changes in his or her life. The therapist does what he or she can to reduce the power differential between the therapist and the client by trying to join with the client in a therapeutic alliance. To do so, the therapist is empathic towards the client's concerns and goals and does not assume a role of superiority. The advantage of reducing the power differential is that this process enables the client to really assume control over the therapeutic process and to have the motivation necessary to effect change and achieve his or her own therapeutic goals. Therefore, if the therapist retains some of the power differential in the relationship with the client, the client might be less motivated to undertake the work of therapy. However, the advantage of retaining the power differential between the therapist and client might be that it would make the therapist more comfortable in the therapeutic situation.