Carl Rogers (1902-1987) was a humanistic psychologist who, in the mid-twentieth century, introduced Client-Centered Therapy, wherein the patient became more involved in the treatment process than she was expected to be when treated with the more traditional therapies at that time. Dr. Rogers felt that the psychotherapy of the time (psychoanalytical, behavioral, and experimental) was too authoritative and believed that the client should discover solutions to her problems for herself, while being guided by the therapist. According to the client-centered protocol, the therapist is to restate the client’s responses in order to show acceptance; this technique is referred to as reflection. Through showing unconditional positive regard for the client, the therapist, Rogers believed, provided her a better chance of reaching self-actualization.
[Client-Centered Therapy is now called Person-Centered Therapy.]
