Carl Rogers, Term Paper Example

Introduction

Psychological principles have become increasingly significant in all areas of daily living, using expert knowledge and guidance in these areas. Carl Rogers is perhaps one of the most influential psychologists of the Twentieth Century, as his perspectives regarding humanism and an emphasis on clients are critical to the practices that support modern psychology. With this theories and past work, Rogers demonstrated his willingness to explore the emerging relationships between psychologists and their clients as a means of improving outcomes for these individuals. The key component of Rogers’ work was his emphasis on counseling and client-centered approaches to improve psychological health and wellbeing. Rogers’ beliefs and theoretical perspectives continue to be effective indicators of growth and change within the context of client-centered therapies. The following discussion will address the work of Carl Rogers in greater detail to establish a greater understanding of clients as the focus of different forms of psychotherapy in order to accomplish the desired treatment objectives. This discussion will also consider the importance of Rogers’ work and body of knowledge in supporting effective strategies for client-centered psychotherapy to support client health, wellbeing, and general happiness.

Analysis

Carl Rogers’ work throughout the field of psychology has been instrumental in shaping and supporting strategies for improvement in the creation of humanistic psychology and client-centered therapies (Kirschenbaum, 2009). These practices demonstrate the importance of clients and their specific needs through the use of therapeutic interventions in order to accomplish these objectives (Kirschenbaum, 2009). Rogers sought to explore the different areas and constructs of human relationships so that they could better communicate, express concerns, and demonstrate an effective approach to solving problems (Kirschenbaum, 2009). The well-known psychologist sought to identify areas where existing human relationships were weak and limited by emotions and other circumstances (Gatongi, 2007). Therefore, Rogers created what is now known as the person-centered approach, which is described as follows: “The person-centered approach is not concerned with finding out the causes of the problem and finding the best solution possible. It is the individual client, in an open and accepting relationship with the therapist, who is empowered to take control over his or her own healing. Healing is then seen as something which must originate from the client and not from any professional technique provided by the helper” (Gatongi, 2007, p. 206). In this manner, it is observed that person-centered therapeutic interventions are highly specific and provide important opportunities for growth that will positively impact psychological change and acceptance (Gatongi, 2007). This approach also provides additional support for the development of new directives to engage in specialized therapies that will emphasize long-term success and related outcomes that improve overall satisfaction and contentment for these clients (Gatongi, 2007).

Rogers also demonstrated in his past work that human beings demonstrate different types of emotional responses towards each other, whereby individuals recognize the plight of others and begin to understand these conditions more effectively (Gatongi, 2007). This concept is better known as empathy and provides additional support for the creation of different realistic approaches to collaborate with patients and achieve the desired outcomes (Gatongi, 2007). An empathetic approach to problems requires individuals to move away from their own individual needs in order to recognize the needs of others and how they impact individuals (Gatongi, 2007). This type of approach is used widely in client-therapist relationships because it allows therapists to explore the different dimensions of clients and to identify patterns and other factors that impact their psychological health and wellbeing (Gatongi, 2007). Empathy plays an important role in shaping outcomes and in demonstrating the positive impact of client-centered therapies in supporting clients (Gatongi, 2007). Therefore, empathy plays a critical role in contributing to positive outcomes for clients who require therapy in one form or another (Gatongi, 2007).

Carl Rogers was instrumental in supporting the ongoing development of new objectives in psychological theory and practice. To be specific, he sought to address how client-based therapies were essential to the field and the long-term impact of treatment for clients (Watson, 2007). From this perspective, “His postulate that the therapist attitudes of empathy, acceptance, and congruence were necessary and sufficient to help clients accurately symbolize their affective experience when they were vulnerable and in a state of incongruence highlighted the importance of a facilitative, responsive relationship with another human being to promote change in psychotherapy” (Watson, 2007, p. 268). These findings suggest that Rogers was instrumental in facilitating changes in psychotherapy that were instrumental in enabling clients to embrace this practice and to seek assistance for their psychological needs (Watson, 2007). Within this context, it is important to recognize the value of client-centered approaches to therapy that have led to other discoveries within the field, including the expansion of research and its impact on the practice (Watson, 2007). Rogers strongly believed that there were significant ideas and perspectives that had yet to be explored, and that there were important opportunities available to refocus psychotherapies onto clients rather than onto the therapists themselves (Watson, 2007). These efforts were important because they offered the field a fresh perspective regarding psychological health and wellbeing as related to client needs and expectations (Watson, 2007). Based upon Rogers’ conclusions and observations, there is a significant advantage for clients when they experience a greater level of comfort and support from their therapists that is based on their individual needs, rather than a focus on the client and his or her approach and how it might be effective (Watson, 2007). It is important to identify the areas where there are important opportunities to address specific client needs in a manner that is consistent with long-term therapeutic effectiveness as based upon individual perspectives (Watson, 2007).

The humanistic approach as developed by Carl Rogers also provides support for the development of new ideas and opportunities in client-centered therapies that did not exist prior to his discoveries. The concept of humanistic psychology was a revelation that supported the ability of human beings to better understand themselves and why they behave or believe in one thing or another (Edelstein, 2002). These efforts were significant because they offered a greater understanding of self-identity and recognition of the human being as a whole (Edelstein, 2002). It also provided a means of exploring individual personalities to identify worth and the potential for happiness (Edelstein, 2002). From a therapeutic perspective, it was important to identify the issues that prohibited personal growth and identity through a client-centered approach to managing psychological health and wellbeing (Edelstein, 2002). This is an important and lasting contribution to the field of psychology and Rogers’ influence on psychotherapy and its impact on clients (Edelstein, 2002).

Carl Rogers demonstrated his ability to recognize the importance of client-centered approaches to psychotherapy, noted in his own words as follows: “It involves the element of self-awareness, meaning that the feelings the therapist is experiencing are available to him, available to his awareness, and also that he is able to live these feelings, to be them in the relationship, and able to communicate them if appropriate. It means that he comes into a direct personal encounter with his client, meeting him on a person-to-person basis. It means that he is being himself, not denying himself” (Rogers, p. 4). From this perspective, it may be argued that there are significant advantages associated with the development of client-centered approaches to psychotherapy that will embrace challenges and allow therapists to recognize the areas of need within their clients (Rogers). This is an important step towards the development of new approaches that will be effective in supporting client outcomes, both now and in the future (Rogers). The renowned expert in the field of humanistic psychology also sought to address the ability of therapists to further engage and communicate with their clients through organized and detailed approaches that were created to provide positive outcomes for these individuals (Rogers). From his perspective, it was important to recognize the different methods of developing new ideas and opportunities for growth that were evident through client-centered relationships so that therapists could grow and thrive under these conditions in an effective manner (Rogers).

Finally, Rogers’ perspectives in regards to human beings, psychology, and empathy also provide considerable support for the development of areas where continuous improvement might be realized (Pescitelli, 2007). From this perspective, it is widely observed that there are significant issues associated with the concept known as actualizing tendency, whereby there are continuous opportunities to explore and achieve total autonomy through personal identity and recognition under a variety of conditions (Pescitelli, 2007). Therefore, it is evident that additional measures must be explored that allow individuals to achieve this state by using Rogers’ key perspectives and principles (Pescitelli, 2007). Therefore, the notion of self-concept is of critical importance to the individual and his or her ability to achieve greater self-awareness and recognition to support positive humanistic outcomes (Pescitelli, 2007). It is important to identify the areas where there are significant advantages in the promotion of self-awareness and identity as a key contributor to effective outcomes during psychotherapy (Pescitelli, 2007). These efforts are also instrumental because they improve an individual’s outlook regarding his or herself in order to better prepare for the revelations that might exist when clients openly communicate with their therapists in the desired manner (Pescitelli, 2007). These findings also suggest that human beings must exercise different forms of self-awareness and a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities that are available to support their own psychological health and wellbeing through psychotherapy and other related solutions that build upon human-to-human communication and contact (Pescitelli, 2007).

Personal Perspective

In evaluating Carl Rogers’ body of work and his contributions to the field of Psychology, it is important to recognize the challenges and opportunities that were made available in providing expert knowledge and guidance to human beings. As a younger individual, it is virtually impossible to remember a time when client-centered psychotherapy was not in existence, as this practice has been ongoing for many decades. For those seeking therapy in one form or another, it is extremely important to recognize the value of therapeutic intervention when the focus is on the human being, the client, rather than the therapist. This is a critical area of psychology that continues to expand and to be recognized for its value and contributions to the field as a whole. Therefore, without Rogers’ input and groundbreaking theories and perspectives, psychology as it exists today would not have been developed in the first place.

The development of Carl Rogers’ platform and framework for humanistic psychology forever changed the face of this field and its focus. It is important to recognize that Rogers played a significant role in supporting effective two-way communication between client and therapist because in the early days of psychotherapy, this did not appear to exist. Therefore, Rogers sought a means of evaluating the contributions of open communication, empathy, and other variables in the support of clients seeking psychotherapy for one reason or another. These efforts are important because they have had a substantial impact on the health and wellbeing of millions of clients throughout the world. Many generations of clients have been positively served by the directives that Rogers began with his research and his understanding of human beings as people with genuine feelings and emotions. This process was critical in the creation of therapeutic interventions that placed the primary focus on the client rather than the therapist as a means of providing a positive influence for clients going forward. This process also supported the ability of clients to effectively adapt to ever-changing circumstances and the challenges of supporting positivity and improved psychological wellbeing.

The standard of care and treatment that is provided by psychotherapists to their clients has been acknowledged in a manner that is supportive of the different ideas and objectives that lead to positive outcomes for clients who have concerns or are unable to cope with the status quo. By utilizing a humanistic perspective as Rogers suggested, it is possible to develop other directives that would be successful in the support of new client-focused communication and relationships. It is imperative to acknowledge Rogers’ work because of its insurmountable impact on the lives of clients and their psychological health. Therapists typically employ specific strategies in order to engage their clients in two-way conversations and other opportunities to share information that will be deemed useful in the provision of services. This perspective also supports the ability of individuals to effectively embrace psychotherapy rather than fight it, particularly when they recognize that it may provide a number of positive benefits over the short and long term. As a result of these revelations, Rogers is one of the most invaluable contributors to the health and wellbeing of clients seeking psychotherapeutic interventions for a variety of problems and other concerns. His contributions also support the continuous growth and development of clients who face inner demons and other battles that would not otherwise benefit from any type of psychotherapy that is not grounded in patient-centered approaches to psychological health and wellbeing. Without Rogers’ contributions, psychotherapy would not exist in the same manner and it is likely that many individuals would not seek counseling or other forms of therapy for issues that impact their lives in different ways, both positively and negatively.

Conclusion

Carl Rogers has had a profound impact on the field of psychology for many reasons. His contributions have played a critical role in improving client-therapist relationships for many decades. For Rogers, the development of a humanistic approach to psychology and related outcomes has been effective in enabling clients to share their ideas and needs and for therapists to understand these issues as best as possible. The ability to empathize with clients is one of the most important contributions that a therapist can make within his or her practice because it provides support for clients with a wide range of concerns or problems that require further attention and discovery. Therefore, Rogers has been largely effective in this practice and in the support of new ideas and approaches to achieve improved outcomes for clients seeking the services of psychotherapists. Carl Rogers is one of the most well-recognized and influential contributors to the field of psychology, and therefore, his ability to understand the needs of clients has changed the manner in which psychologists view and observe human beings in their professional careers on many levels. Rogers’ work and perspectives continue to be effective in supporting the development of idea sharing and the improvement of self-esteem, self-identity, and other internal factors or qualities that contribute to individuality and humanism on many different levels.

References

Edelstein, B. (2002). Gaining the existential perspective: a tribute to Carl Rogers and AHP.Retrieved from http://www.ehinstitute.org/pdf/Edelstein_GainingExistentialPerspective.pdf

Gatongi, F. (2007). Person-centered approach in schools: is it the answer to disruptive behavior in our classrooms? Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 20(2), 205-211.

Kirschenbaum, H. (iot). The life and work of Carl Rogers. Alexandria: American Counseling Association. Pescitelli, D. (2007). An analysis of Carl Rogers’ theory of personality. Retrieved from http://www.scottpearsons.com/uploads/Site_1013/Carl%20Rogers%20Theory.pdf

Rogers, C. The therapeutic conditions antecedent to change: a theoretical view. Retrieved from http://www.centerfortheperson.org/pdf/therapeutic-conditions-antecedent-to-change.pdf

Watson, J.C. (2007). Reassessing Rogers’ necessary and sufficient conditions of change. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 44(3), 268-273.