Carl Rogers Client Centred Therapy

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Carl Rogers (1902 – 1987) was born in Oak Park, Illinois. He is known as the father of client centred therapy, sometimes called non-directive therapy.

Client Centred Therapy

The basis of this approach is for the counsellor not to direct the client with questions, assessments, opinions and interpretations. Instead, the counsellor provides a safe, non-judgemental and supportive environment where the client can decide what is discussed. The client has complete control of each counselling session. Rogers believed that each client could find their own solutions to current difficulties without having the counsellor set the direction of their therapy.

The Core Conditions

“The whole conceptual framework of Carl Rogers rests on his profound experience that human beings become increasingly trustworthy once they feel at a deep level that their subjective experience is both respected and progressively understood.” (Quoted from Thorne). We can see this at work in what Rogers called the ‘Core Conditions’ of counselling, which are often known by the acronym ‘CUE’.

C = Congruence (realness, genuineness. Your body language reflects what you are saying).

U = Unconditional Positive Regard (respect for the client. You hold the client in high regard at all times).

E = Empathy (a complete understanding of the client’s thoughts and feelings).

Incongruence

Carl Rogers used the expression Incongruence to depict feelings of anxiety and depression a client may experience from not living the life they really want to. Rogers felt that individuals could have a good job, marriage and children but still feel unhappy, a key element of Incongruence.

Rogers believed that these feelings of unhappiness are important because they serve to remind us that we aren’t on the path we would really like to be. He felt that we often take a direction in life based on societies values and principles rather than our own. These are programmed into us during childhood by our parents and other authority figures which we accept without question, and which stay with us throughout adulthood. An example could be a career path we are encouraged to pursue, or a marriage we are encouraged to stay in rather than risk societal and family rejection or disapproval.

Organismic Valuing Process

The key is to follow our own personal value system, which Rogers called the ‘organismic valuing process’, or risk feelings of Incongruence. How can counselling help us get in touch with our true value system?

Rogers believed the role of the counsellor is to interpret what is being said to them by their client, and not try to analyse their unconscious as recommended by Freud. The counsellor needs to reflect back to the client so that they can become more aware of their feelings and the situation they are in. The client can then think about what is making them unhappy in their present situation and discover the path they would like to take.

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Steven Lucas MBACP PNCPS (Accred) is a professional counselling psychotherapist working in Northamptonshire. Read Full Bio.

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Disclaimer:

I am not a doctor so this guide should not be considered a replacement for seeking medical advice. It is also not a substitute for obtaining therapy as other factors, such as trauma, need to be considered.

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