Carl Rogers Theory

Introduction

In order to satisfy the requirements for the diploma in counseling and psychotherapy module of my course I have been asked to submit an assignment on a tradition of counseling and psychotherapy of my choice. I have chosen the tradition of client centered therapy or person centered therapy and I will research and discuss this topic in detail in order to answer the three main sections of this assignment. During my research into my chosen topic I learned a great deal about Carl Rogers and his influential contribution to psychology on a global scale. Carl Rogers is highly regarded in psychology and his methods are still used to this day. His method of person centered therapy has reached many areas in life including the family way of

He dedicated his career to a form of psychology known as humanistic psychology and is highly regarded for his theory of personality development. He was working with abused children where he began developing his humanistic concept. Rogers believed that common methods of psychotherapy, such as behavioural, psychoanalytic and experimental methods were in fact not allowing the “client” to reach self realisation or self growth due to restrictive and authoritive nature of the analysis. Rogers believed that therapists should allow the “client” to find the solution for themselves. Rogers adopted the word “client” to replace the medical word patient as he felt although they needed help, they didn’t need the same treatment as a medically ill person. He felt it also allowed the “client” and the therapist to participate as equals. The term “client” is used worldwide in psychology today.

His mother was a devout Christian and housewife and his father was a civil engineer and quite a successful one at that. His education didn’t start until second grade as he was already able to read before kindergarten. Although he initially studied theology and even practiced as a pastor as part of his studies, he eventually turned to educational and clinical psychology. He attended the University of Wisconsin in 1924 and obtained his BA. He received his MA in 1928 from Colombia University and his PHD in psychotherapy in 1931 also from Colombia University. He started his career in 1940 as a professor of psychology at Ohio State University where he remained until 1945. In 1939 he published his first of many books called The Clinical Treatment of the Problem Child. In 1942 he published his own views in his book called Counselling & Psychotherapy. In this book he outlined his theory that the client could gain the self awareness that was needed to change their life. This was done by building a nonjudgemental relationship with their therapist. He then went on to become the professor of psychology at the Chicago University. While in Chicago, Rogers set up a counselling centre where he continued his research and later published his results in Client-Centred Therapy in 1951. He then went on to take a position in both the department of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin where he began his studies. In 1963