Person-Centered Therapy Carl R. Rogers is claimed to the most significant American psychologist of the 20th century, being famous for his client-centered psychotherapy theories (Trialog, 2002). Rogers used to work as a clinical psychologist, and the observations made during the work gave the ground to his theory of client-centered therapy, which was later called person-centered therapy (Rogers, 1959). Rogers was the first therapist, who rejected the approach of a therapist behaving as the expert, and proclaimed a theory where there were no patients, but clients who were treated with respect. Rogers knew the essences of the self development, believed that "the core of man's nature is essentially positive" (Rogers, 1961, p.73) and that if there are problems a personality change and a further growth is certainly possible (1959, 1961, 1977). The concepts of Rogers’ concept of personality are: Reality: Reality for a growing self is limited to the environment in which the personality develops and further on functions. At the time of self-formation a child observes the world and behavior of people around, usually parents, and absorbs their values, making them his/her own, thus acquiring "conditions of worth" (Rogers, 1959). These conditions disturb the "organismic valuing process", the ongoing process during which experiences are somehow symbolized and valued according to optimal development of the organism and self (Rogers, 1959). This means that the reality perceived by a person is not exactly as it is, and each person has its own perception of reality (Rogers, 1959). Symbolization: Symbolization occurs as the experiences are perceived based on the values attached to such experiences (Rogers, 1959). Through the self development process, experiences are evaluated and perceived in interconnected manner and under the influence of developing conditions of worth and need for optimal development. This leads to symbolization and selective perception of experiences (Rogers, 1959). Concept of Self is the way a person thinks of him/herself. According to Rogers, Self is the organized and consistent concept composed of characteristic perceptions of "I" or "me" and the relationships of "I"/"me" with others and various aspects of life, along with the values attached to these perceptions (1959, p.200). Rogers claimed that human personality develops through experiences, so called "phenomenal field" on both conscious and unconscious levels (1959). In the process of the development, a part of the field gets differentiated and becomes the person's "self" (Rogers, 1959). Thus obviously the “self” develops through interaction with other people and environment during which the growing personality becomes aware his/her own functioning. The development of self is largely based on the experienced social evaluations. Psychological Adjustment: Rogers believed that a human being is "capable of evaluating the outer and inner situation, understanding herself in its context, making constructive choices as to the next steps in life, and acting on those choices" (1977, p15), but these situations are evaluated and acted upon only after the initial psychological adjustment, meaning that a person subconsciously accepts only those experiences that do not come in conflict with his/her conditions of worth, and those that do not - get altered or rejected in the person’s awareness (Rogers, 1959). Based on his concepts personality Rogers further developed his client/person-centered therapy. Rogers understood that a therapist had to be congruent, to have unconditional positive regard and to show empathic understanding (Rogers, 1961). The person-centered therapy is based on the understanding that all people are unique, and their self is formed based on experiences, symbols and values attached to them and conditions of worth. Knowing this builds therapy as a process of making a person feel not judged and comfortable opening, and then listening to own words and understanding him/herself. In result normal development could proceed and the client could become independent and self-aware. During the course of therapy the client moves from inflexible to flexible self-perception (Rogers, 1977). An example of the concepts being applied in the therapy would be the situation described in Personality Synopsis part on the AllPsych Online, when a lady says to a therapist that she is a looser, listing the tasks she fails to accomplish. In response the therapist comments on how much work she has, and that he understands how it makes her tired and stressed. The therapist positively compares her feelings with those of his own. When the therapist asks of the client’s ideas of what to do, the lady shares doubtful ideas, but he makes her feel that she seem to know what to do. Thus the therapist provides a positive feedback, made her listen to herself by repeating her words in a more confident manner, and matching her conditions of worth with her own ideas, thus making her feel confident of her plan and increasing her self respect (“Personality Synopsis,” 2004). Thus, Rogers introduced quite revolutionary concepts of “self” and its formation, and proved that therapy is effective when the person feels respected and thus the words of the therapist are not blocked subconsciously by the person, and at the same time the therapist does not instruct the client what to do but helps the person to develop himself and come out of conflict with reality and positively perceive him/herself. Bibliography 1. “Personality Synopsis.” (2004). AllPsych Online. Available: (25 January 2005). 2. Rogers, C.R. (1959). A theory of therapy, personality and interpersonal relationships, as developed in the client-centered framework. Koch, S. (ed.). Psychology: A study of science. (pp. 184-256). N.Y.: McGraw Hill. 3. Rogers, C.R. (1961). On becoming a person. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 4. Rogers, C.R. (1977). Carl Rogers on personal power. N.Y.: Delacorte Press. 5. Trialog. (2002). “About Carl R. Rogers.” Available: (24 January 2005).