Client Centered Theory
(humanistic)
The Life of Carl Rogers
(1902-1987)
Carl was socially introverted as he was discouraged
from playing
He developed an active imagination and focused on
academics. Because his family lived on a farm, Carl had
many chores, therefore becoming very independent and
self-disciplined
As a college student, he was selected to go to Beijing for
the World Student Christian Federation Conference.
There, he was exposed to different religious
philosophies and began to question his own religious
beliefs. This experienced shaped his views on human
behavior
His theory became widely known during the 60s and
70s as the progression of psychotherapy into the
humanistic movement
The Client Centered Theory
A humanistic theoryeach of us has a
natural potential that we can actualize and
through which we can find meaning
Shares with existentialism-- a focus on
respect and trust for the client
Humanism vs. Existentialism
Humanism and Existentialism BOTH:
Respect for clients experience and trust in
clients ability to change
Believe in freedom, choice, values, personal
responsibility, autonomy, meaning
Humanism vs. Existentialism
Existentialism
Clients come into
counseling because
they are facing anxiety
in trying to construct an
identity in a world
without intrinsic
meaning
Humanism
Clients do not suffer
from anxiety in creating
an identity
Clients need to believe
that they have the
natural potential to
actualize
The Concept of the
Third Force
1st Force
Psychoanalysis
2nd ForceBehaviorism
3rd Force
Existentialism and
Humanism
The Role of the Therapist
Congruencegenuineness, ones behavior
congruent with emotions
Empathyaccurate ability to view the world from
clients perspective
Unconditional Positive Regardacceptance, caring
Growth Experiences
Therapy is only one relationship that can
foster growth
Growth occurs naturally when one is in a
situation with the proper conditions to
encourage that growth (i.e., metaphor of the
acorn)
The therapists job is to set the stage, and
then the client is able to do what is necessary
for positive growth and change
Goals of Person-Centered Therapy
Increase the
Create the conditions
independence and
integration of the client
Focus on the person,
not the problem
necessary for positive
growth
Develop openness to
new experiences, trust
in themselves, internal
source of evaluation,
and willingness to
continue growing
It should be noted
A major aspect of person-centered therapy is
the belief that the therapist should not chose
the goals of the client, but instead help the
client define and clarify their own goals
Goals should be expected to change as the
client progresses through counseling
In Addition
The relationship between client and therapist
is everything in person-centered therapy
The relationship is characterized by equality
The therapist need not have any special skills
or knowledge
Diagnosis and collecting background history
is not necessary
The Process of Therapy
There are no real techniques, other than listening,
empathizing, understanding, and responding to the
client
The clients self-assessment is of primary importance
There are no specific stages to the process, as it is
all about the clients own process of change and
growth, which must happen at their own pace
Rogers Contributions
Emphasized that the
therapeutic relationship
is the primary agent of
growth
Created a style of
therapy that can be
used by various helping
professionals
Limitations and Criticisms
Most now feel these conditions are necessary
but not sufficient
Can become supportive without challenging
the client, which makes change difficult
Places limits on therapists behavior within
the session, such as limiting their teaching or
guiding role
Multicultural Perspective
Has been applied to numerous cultures and
settings
The core conditions are based on this culture,
and can be difficult to apply to other cultures
Some clients may want more structure or
guidance than this approach provides
