Person-centered therapy, also known as person-centered psychotherapy, person-centered counseling, client-centered therapy and Rogerian psychotherapy, is a form of psychotherapy developed by psychologist Carl Rogers beginning in the 1940s[1] and extending into the 1980s.[2] Person-centered therapy seeks to facilitate a client's self-actualizing tendency, "an inbuilt proclivity toward growth and fulfillment",[3] via acceptance (unconditional positive regard), therapist congruence (genuineness), and empathic understanding.[4][5] *
"The central hypothesis of this approach can be briefly stated. It is that the individual has within him or her self vast resources for self-understanding, for altering her or his self-concept, attitudes, and self-directed behavior – and that these resources can be tapped if only a definable climate of facilitative psychological attitudes can be provided". (Rogers, Carl.)
*Person-centered therapy. (2022, July 30). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Person-centered_therapy
Rogers outlines the following six conditions required to exist and continue for constructive personality change to occur
Empathy is a crucial aspect of the person-centred counselling (PCT) approach developed by Carl Rogers.
The actualizing tendency is a psychological concept that humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers introduced. It refers to the innate drive within every individual to move towards growth, fulfilment, and realization of their full potential.
A difficult lesson to learn when first training to become a person-centred counsellor is how unhelpful it is to try and 'help' your clients.