Carl Rogers's humanistic psychology and person-centered therapy approach

Although Carl Rogers does not have the name recognition of Sigmund Freud or B.F. Skinner, he has been one of the most influential psychologists. A pioneer in the field of humanistic psychology, Rogers is best known for his theories of person-centered therapy and the principle of “unconditional positive regard,” (Rogers, 1957). Therefore, Rogers was concerned about the ethics and guiding principles of the therapeutic relationship as much as he was interested in deciphering the mysteries of the human mind and personality. Unabashedly optimistic about human nature, Rogers could seem unnecessarily naive or beholden to “soft” psychology, but his “insistence that the model be subject to scientific inquiry and clinical trial” had made his theories of personality and psychotherapy enduring (“Revisiting Carl Rogers Theory of Personality,” n.d., p. 1). Rogers deserves to be considered one of the luminaries of psychology, whose guiding framework can help inform clinical research and practice. Psychotherapists in all areas of specialization should endeavor to incorporate Rogers’s theories into their work with clients. Especially the field of psychology moves away from humanism and more towards a mechanistic, deterministic view focusing on biology, it is important to return to the theories of Carl Rogers. Over-medication of both children and adults has been a problem, perhaps in large part due to the psychologist’s shift in focus. Re-introducing the concept of unconditional positive regard could rejuvenate the social sciences. One area that could benefit tremendously from application of Rogers’s theories is when working with at-risk youth, former offenders, and clients with behavioral issues. Rogers’s humanistic approach focuses on the person’s strengths and particularly on the “conditions of worth,” (Funder, 2016, xxv). The “conditions of worth” theory shows how external influences shape self-concept, causing the individual to seek to conform to the expectations of others. When feedback from the outside world is incongruous with one’s self-concept, the individual may experience stress, which may then lead to maladaptive behavior (Pescitelli, 1996). Although lacking in empirical research, the theory does shed light on the importance of self-concept in shaping an individual’s responses to environmental stressors. Another key component of Rogers’s theory is self-actualization (Funder, 2016, p. 433). Self-actualization is also related to self-concept in that a person whose daily reality does not converge with their idealized self may experience conflict. Rogers offered a solution-focused approach to helping clients achieve self-actualization, an approach that has influenced fields like life coaching. Self-actualization theory has been subject to empirical scrutiny and can be considered reliable and valid for applying to clinical practice (Beitel, Wald, Midgett, et al, 2014). Similarly, research on mindfulness therapies and Buddhist meditation show how the theory of self-actualization can yield measurable results in therapeutic interventions (Beitel, Bogus, Hutz, et al, 2012). In spite of being more philosophical than scientific in his approach to psychology, Rogers’s theory can still be considered both reliable and valid. Simply standing the test of time is not an accurate measure of reliability and validity, but psychological empiricism has evolved to include studies of human personality and the effects of specific interventions on measurable outcomes. There are no meta-analyses or other quantitative methods of categorically denouncing or upholding the theories of Carl Rogers, because assessing the validity of a humanistic theory requires the use of qualitative methods, longitudinal studies, and research designs that control for culture and other intervening variables. Experimental research may be a valid method used in psychopharmacology or neuroscience, but less so in the realm of personality. Therefore, Carl Roger’s theory is both accurate and valid as a philosophical model of human personality, psychology, and interpersonal relationships.