CARL ROGERS

Carl Rogers



Carl Rogers

Introduction

Carl R. Rogers (1902-1987) was one of the founding fathers of Humanistic Psychology and author of the first systematic work on the profession of Counselor significantly entitled "Psychotherapy consultation", published in the United States in 1942. It is precisely in 1942 that laid the basis of its "client-centered therapy" and the movement of humanistic psychology (Friedman, 2008).

Humanistic Psychology

Humanistic psychology, theoretical and methodological approach developed in the United States in the '60s; they the alternatives for the two dominant orientations, then, psychoanalysis and behaviorism. Humanistic Psychology mainly owes its emergence to the thought and work of Abraham Maslow, Rollo May, Carl Rogers and Thomas Gordon.

These authors first pointed out the need to consider the human body as a bio-psycho-social, thus promoting a holistic view, which is of equal dignity and value components of biological, psychological and social conditions of human experience. Their theories on human nature, essentially "programmed" to self-realization through the recognition and the satisfaction of their needs (physiological, emotional, and social relationships). However, they were then translated into clinical practice and psychotherapy aimed at promoting physical and mental health individual.

This accomplished through methods based primarily on the deep respect and appreciation of own resources of the person: psychologist and psychotherapist are deeply convinced of the humanistic-natural "positive" and "wisdom" of human beings, which, if accepted unconditionally and listened empathetically are able to identify any significant degree their own personal path to wellness. Consistent with this vision of man and clinical practice, the psychologist, and psychotherapist are not the "experts" that reveal the individual problems for the unknown because he is suffering. Or, to think that the train more effectively and to issue appropriate behaviors are the facilitators, who, recognizing and valuing the uniqueness of human experience, alongside the person in the process of evolution, promoting it - make it easy; in fact is an autonomous process of analysis and problem resolution (Friedman, 2008). This accomplished through methods based primarily on the deep respect and appreciation of own resources of the person: psychologist and psychotherapist are deeply convinced of the humanistic, natural "positive" and "wisdom" of human beings, which, if accepted unconditionally and listened empathetically are able to identify any significant degree their own personal path to wellness.

Rogers and the Person-Centered Approach

“When people are accepted and valued, they tend to develop an attitude of greater attention to themselves. When people are listening empathetically, it becomes possible for them to pay you to listen carefully to the flow of inner experience. However, as a person understands herself, the self becomes more congruent with the experience. The person thus becomes more authentic, more genuine. These trends are the equivalent of the attitudes of the therapist, allowing the individual to be effective promoter of its growth. There is greater freedom in being a real person, total” (Rogers, 2010 pp. 45)

Person-Centered Approach Institute (IACP) was founded by Carl Rogers and named after him. The system created by Rogers is not just a theory but is also a vision of ...