Rogerian Therapy

Carl Rogers developed Person–Centred Therapy based on the concepts of humanistic psychology with the basic tenet that clients are the ultimate agents of self-change for their lives. This theory emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship as one built on unconditional positive regard, congruency and accurate empathy.

For clients beginning Rogerian therapy the most important fact initially is the entry of a new person (the therapist) into their psychological environment. It is the building of this relationship between therapist and client, which will facilitate change in the client. This relationship is at the forefront of the therapeutic process. For this to occur it is necessary that these 6 conditions to exist.

1. That two persons are in psychological contact.
2. That the first person, whom we shall term the client, is in a state of incongruence, being vulnerable or anxious.
3. That the second person, whom we shall term the therapist, is congruent in the relationship.
4. That the therapist is experiencing unconditional positive regard toward the client.
5. That the therapist is experiencing an empathic understanding of the client’s internal frame of reference.
6. That the client perceives, at least to a minimal degree, Conditions 4 and 5, the unconditional positive regard of the therapist for him, and the empathic understanding of the therapist.

Rogers believed people are innately trustworthy and have great potential to understand themselves and resolve their own problems without intervention by the therapist. Like the existential approach, person-centred theory holds the same basic assumption that individuals are able to find meaning within themselves, inwardly capable of knowing best what they need to do to resolve issues. In Rogerian therapy, the client moves towards the goals of realisation, fulfilment, autonomy, self-determination, and perfection. This process occurs within a critical and intense client-therapist relationship built upon empathetic understanding and unconditional positive regard.

Therapy with clients using the person-centred model strives to develop a greater degree of independence and integration for individuals in their surroundings and the people in their lives. Clients prepare to be open to the experience of counselling, to trust in themselves, to evaluate themselves internally, and pursue a willingness towards continued growth. Fear of any of these areas requires addressing prior to moving forward with current issues, as these will impede client growth. Exploring a wider range of their own beliefs and feelings aids clients during this process, helping clients to better appreciate who they are and what they are capable of accomplishing without contamination of the views of the counsellor.

Person-centred theory does not require that the client be diagnosed in order to seek and realise improvement. Furthermore, therapists avoid being directive, taking the role that the client is responsible for his direction instead. While the counsellor-client relationship is critical and very active, the ultimate role of the Rogerian therapist is passive in nature as it merely serves to help clients to find their own path and develop their own sense of self-worth. This results in the client feeling enabled and empowered to continue improvements in the future without the need of the counsellor.