Carl Rogers: The Person-Centered Approach Essay

Genuineness, empathy, and respect are at the heart of Rogers' process of mirroring. Instead of directing or challenging the client, a Rogerian therapist validates the client's feelings and expressions. For example, if the client says 'I am worthless,' unlike a cognitive behaviorist who might ask why, or probe the false and extreme nature of the statement, a Rogerian might simply say, 'you feel as if you have no worth at all?' To encourage the client to explore the statement. Rogerian therapy has been criticized for being overly circular, for taking longer than most people can afford to spend upon therapy, and not being directive enough.However, Rogerians contend that "If independence (autonomy, freedom with responsibility) is what you are helping a client to achieve, then they will not achieve it if they remain dependent on you, the therapist. They need to try their insights on their own, in real life beyond the therapist's office! An authoritarian approach to therapy may seem to work marvelously at first, but ultimately it only creates a dependent person" (Boeree 2006)

Works Cited

Boeree, C. George. (2006). Carl Rogers. Personality Theories. Retrieved March 16, 2009 at http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/rogers.html.....