Person Centered Therapy Discussed

Carl Rogers Video Review The author of this report is asked to find and view any video about Carl Rogers. Specifically, the video should center on the man's contributions to psychotherapy in general or it should pertain to person-centered therapy in particular. The video in question was found on YouTube and specifically relates to person-centered therapy. The video was apparently produced or supported by the website psychotherapy.net.

The title of the video is "Carl Rogers on Person-Centered Therapy." While there are general therapeutic techniques and practices that can and should be employed, there needs to be a focus on the patient as a person if therapy is going to work as well as it could or should. Summary The video starts off with Rogers himself saying that he finds it very "fortunate" if he can be in a therapy session and that he can accept a patient just as they are and with no pretense.

However, he notes that this is sometimes very difficult. Rogers talks about how he once counseled a South African man that was not exactly the picture of morality. Further, Rogers conceded that he was a man that "stretched his empathetic abilities." However, he pushed through with the sessions and worked with him. Rogers says he later finds out that the man is actually much better now and has changed the direction of his life (YouTube, 2015).

Rogers then says that the lesson he learned from that experience is that if he can "generally understanding" of the patient that is being treated, then perhaps he can make some progress. He further states that it is important to listen to the words that are being said and what precisely those words mean.

He says that this is important because it helps fetter out and flesh out the "person within." Obviously, the "person within" needs to be known and figured out by the therapist so that the best results possible are garnered through the therapy that is taking place. However, he also notes that it is "helpful" if he cares about the person in a meaningful way. As noted above, that is not always manifested and complete because some people and their lives are quite sullied. However, he does note it is optimal.

Rogers also notes that it is very helpful if he can "be himself" and not a distant "expert" that has to remain clinical and professional. He concludes by saying that all of these "helpful" things, if experienced and harnessed at the same time, can lead to the best and optimal climate to help and "reach" the patient. His exact words on the subject are that it is a "very powerful climate for change, for growth." (YouTube, 2015).

The author, given the short nature of the video reviewed above, reviewed an excerpt of a real interview with a patient in a group setting. He starts off by saying he's knowing of why the person volunteered but wants to hear what he has to say. The man admits he is very nervous but Carl Rogers remains calm, faces him.