PERSON-CENTERED THEORY

PERSON-CENTERED THEORY

Carl Rogers (1902 - 1987)

"A major spokesperson for humanistic psychology, led a life that reflected the ideas he developed for half a century.  He showed a questioning stance, a deep openness to change, and the courage to forge into unknown territory both as a person and as a professional.  During the last 15 years of his life, Rogers applied the person-centered approach to world peace by training policymakers, leaders, and groups in conflict" (Gerald & Corey, 2013).

KEY CONCEPTS:

“The client has the potential to become aware of problems and the means to resolve them.  Faith is placed in the client’s capacity for self-direction.  Mental health is a congruence of ideal self and real self.  Maladjustment is the result of a discrepancy between what one wants to be and what one is.  In therapy attention is given to the present moment and on experiencing and expressing feelings” (Gerald & Corey, 2013).

GOALS OF THEORY:

“To provide a safe climate conductive to clients’ self-exploration, so that they can recognize blocks to growth and can experience aspects of self that were formerly denied or distorted.  To enable them to move toward openness, greater trust in self, willingness to be a process, and increased spontaneity and aliveness.  To find meaning in life and to experience life fully.  To become more self-directed” (Gerald & Corey, 2013).

TECHNIQUES USED:

“Clients are able to explore a wider range of beliefs and feelings.  They can express their fears, anxiety, guilt, shame, hatred, anger, and other emotions that they had deemed too negative to accept and incorporate into their self-structure.  With therapy, people distort less and move to a greater acceptance and integration of conflicting and confusing feelings.  They increasing discover aspects within themselves that had been kept hidden.  As clients feel understood and accepted, they become less defensive and become more open to their experience.  Because they feel safer and are less vulnerable, they become more realistic, perceive others with greater accuracy, and become better able to understand and accept others.  Individuals in therapy come to appreciate themselves more as they are, and their behavior shows more flexibility and creativity” (Gerald & Corey, 2013).

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