Seminal Works In Psychology
Carl Rogers on Therapy & Reconciling Internal Conflict
In 1957, Carl R. Rogers suggested six therapeutic conditions were necessary for the resolution of personal conflict and restoration of effective living outlined in this influential paper.
Carl R. Rogers, American psychologist was one of the founders of the Person-Centered Therapeutic Approach in psychology and a founding father of Humanistic Psychotherapy.
Rogers was aligned with Maslow’s concept of the self-actualising person and added to the humanistic approach by suggesting that for a person to grow, they required an environment of genuineness, acceptance and empathy.
He sought to redefine the relationship between therapist/patient and proposed a theory arguing that to bring about positive personality change, it must be built on mutual trust and respect.
Only then will the environment be conducive to the client bringing about change in themselves.
This point is critical to Rogers’ thinking because he saw the therapist as a facilitator, rather than someone with the responsibility to make change happen.