APPLICATIONS OF CLIENT-CENTERED THERAPY

During the 1950s, at the University of Chicago,Carl Rogers recognized that client-centered principles could be effectively utilized in groups as well as individual relationships.He noted that his graduate classes, which were based on participation, free expression, and self-initiated learning activities, and were taught without prescribed curricula or grades, resulted in the same outcomes as in individual therapy. Throughout the 1970s,he has used groups almost exclusively in educating therapists and organization leaders.It is a rewarding experience to enter one of Rogers’s groups and find that there is no one telling you what to do; nor is anyone competing with you for grades. Group members cooperate to help one another with whatever problems surface in the group. Members become co-therapists with Rogers. Learning activities are self-generated.

Thus, Client-Centered Therapy methods and attitudes can be applied in any setting where people interact with people. Client-Centered Therapy may not completely answer the problems of individuals and groups, but it can open up many normal and neurotic people who are well enough to communicate and to relate within normal limits.

During his fifty years in psychology, there has seldom been a work day in which Carl Rogers did not do individual or group therapy. Client-centered therapists have done research on therapy sessions that can be examined by any scientist in the field.Experience and research characterize Rogers’s contribution which may be somewhat simplistic in its method but is profound in its effect.

Client-centered reflection of situational feelings is a technique that any therapist can use effectively in communicating. As a complete therapy,the client-centered approach can be used mainly with well-motivated, communicative clients. It does not work as a complete therapy with psychotics, clients with health problems, silent or resistive clients, or those who need diagnosis and evaluation for placement. Client-Centered Therapy is an excellent technique but is limited as a total therapy approach.