<![CDATA[This study was motivated by the presence of eighth-grade students at SMPN 3 Mataram who demonstrated low optimism, including limited confidence in their abilities, doubts when facing difficulties, and a tendency to give up before making an effort. The condition indicates the need for guidance and counseling services that provide students with opportunities to understand themselves and develop solutions independently. This study aimed to determine the effect of Client-Centered Counseling on the optimistic attitudes of eighth-grade students at SMPN 3 Mataram during the 2025/2026 academic year. A quantitative approach with a pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design was employed. The population consisted of 60 eighth-grade students, while five students identified as having low optimism based on the pre-test were selected purposively as the sample. Data were collected through a questionnaire as the main method, supported by observation, interviews, and documentation. The data were analyzed using a t-test. The mean pre-test score was 38.2 and increased to 64.8 in the post-test. The analysis produced a calculated t-value of 6.403, which was higher than the critical t-value of 2.776 at the 5% significance level with df = 4. Therefore, the alternative hypothesis was accepted and the null hypothesis was rejected. The findings indicate that Client-Centered Counseling had a significant effect on students' optimism. The approach provides students with space to express their experiences, recognize their potential, and develop stronger confidence in dealing with problems positively.]]>
