Roger's Theory Of Person Centered Therapy

1109 Words3 Pages

Over the years, the name of Rogers' theory has changed from non-directive counseling to client-centered therapy, and then to person-centered therapy. However, Rogers (1995) affirms that the "person-centered approach seems [to be] the most descriptive" title for his theory (p. 115). The Person-Centered approach can be best described as a theory that embraces a consistent and organized set of perceptions and beliefs about oneself. It is a phenomenological theory that "aims directly towards the greater independence and integration of the individual" (Rogers, 1942, p. 28). In terms of human nature, Rogers viewed individuals as being innately good and trustworthy. Rogers (1995) believed that human beings "have within themselves vast resources for self-understanding and for altering their self-concepts, basic attitudes, and self- directed behaviors" (p. 115). His concept of humanity was very contrasting from those in the psychoanalytic and behaviorist forces. He contended that each individual had free will and …show more content…

288). Aside from his resistance to creating a theory, according to Tan (2011), Rogers also developed a theory of psychotherapy in light his Person-Centered approach (p. 132). Nevertheless, his personal preference was to serve people and not to construct theories that implied measures of finality. To his understanding, theories were fallible and changing attempts to construct facts. Therefore, the main focus of his theory is the individual, not the psychological problem. His theory of personality consists of nineteen complex propositions, but can be reduced to four features: self-theory, phenomenology and the valuing of experience, learning and growth potential, and conditions of worth (Tan, 2011, p.

Open Document