Carl Rogers, a renowned psychologist of the 20ᵉ century, is famous for developing the Person-Centred Approach, a revolutionary humanistic theory that has profoundly influenced psychology and therapy. Born on 8 January 1902 in Oak Park, Illinois, Rogers grew up in a family environment that encouraged education and personal development, elements that undoubtedly shaped his later perspective on psychology.
The Person Centred Approach, or Client Centred Therapy as Rogers sometimes called it, focuses on the potential of each individual to understand and develop themselves in an autonomous and positive way. This approach is based on three fundamental principles :
Congruency: Rogers believed in the importance of therapists being authentic and transparent in their relationship with clients. Being congruent means being in tune with one's own feelings and perceptions while expressing them openly.
Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others is crucial in the Person Centred Approach. Rogers saw empathy as an essential quality for establishing a deep connection and fostering positive change in the client.
Unconditional acceptance: Rogers firmly believed that every individual deserves to be respected and valued unconditionally. This means that the therapist must accept the client's experiences and feelings fully and without judgement.
The idea for this innovative approach began to take shape during the 1930s and 1940s, when Rogers was researching and practising psychotherapy. He moved away from traditional, more directive approaches to explore how the therapist could better support the personal growth and development of his clients. A decisive moment in the evolution of his ideas was his meeting with fellow psychologists and educators at the University of Chicago, where he was able to discuss and refine his concepts. The publication in 1951 of his major work, ‘Client-Centered Therapy’, marked a turning point in the history of psychology by formally introducing his concepts to the academic and professional world. Carl Rogers' impact extends far beyond his academic and clinical work. His humanistic vision has influenced clinical psychology, group therapy, education and even the field of business consultancy. Rogers died in 1987, leaving behind a lasting legacy and a therapeutic approach that continues to inspire and transform the lives of many people around the world.
Carl Rogers continued to write, teach and develop his ideas throughout his life, asserting that confidence in the individual and his intrinsic capacities was the key to any process of healing and growth. His influence is still felt today in contemporary clinical practice, which values autonomy, empathy and unconditional respect as the foundations of mental and emotional well-being.
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