The Person-Centred counselling approach was developed by Carl Rogers (1902 – 1987), an American psychologist who helped developed the Humanistic approach, also known as the ‘Third Force’.
Rogers was one of the leading figures in psychotherapy research from the 1940’s and conducted pioneering studies into the way individuals developed their sense of self identity and how this could change.
Main Theoretical Concepts
Rogers believed an individual’s self identity, which he termed the ‘self concept‘ was formed in childhood where it was influenced by the expectations of significant people and the environment around them. This self concept continued to be reinforced throughout life, creating negative or positive perceptions of self, based on the expectations and conditions imposed upon the individual. Rogers believed that no matter how negative the environment, an individual could change. Rogers termed this urge to grow and develop as the ‘actualising tendency’.
Rogers believed that through the actualising tendency an individual could begin to realise their full potential and move towards becoming a ‘fully functioning person’, developing their own solutions to their anxieties, free from negative self concepts and the expectations of others.
Rogers concluded that six conditions were necessary for change to occur in therapy, with the three most important conditions termed the ‘core conditions’. These conditions were the qualities of empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence.
Rogers termed empathy as the ability for the individual to be understood, unconditional positive regard as the sense of being valued as an individual; and congruence as the ability to exhibit the internal self, externally. If the therapist could provide these, then the client would be free to change their self concept.
Once a relationship of trust has developed between the therapist and the client, termed a ‘therapeutic alliance’ the client can begin to change their self concept and develop solutions to their anxieties to reach their desired potential.
Uses and Limitations
In Person Centred counselling the relationship between the therapist and the individual is central to providing the right conditions for change. Person centred therapy appeals to those individuals who are interested in exploring their self identity, seeking their potential and developing their relationships. Since person centred counsellors do not direct clients during sessions as this would be imposing expectations on them, individuals who are looking for a more directive approach may be better placed to try psychodynamic or behavioural therapy.