1. All individuals (organisms) exist in a continually changing world of experience (phenomenal field) of which they are the centre.

2. The organism reacts to the field as it is experienced and perceived. This perceptual field is “reality” for the individual.

3. The organism reacts [...]]]> Carl Rogers based his theories on the following nineteen propositions.

1. All individuals (organisms) exist in a continually changing world of experience (phenomenal field) of which they are the centre.

2. The organism reacts to the field as it is experienced and perceived. This perceptual field is “reality” for the individual.

3. The organism reacts as an organized whole to this phenomenal field.

4. A portion of the total perceptual field gradually becomes differentiated as the self.

5. As a result of interaction with the environment, and particularly as a result of evaluational interaction with others, the structure of the self is formed – an organised, fluid but consistent conceptual pattern of perceptions of characteristics and relationships of the “I” or the “me”, together with values attached to these concepts.

6. The organism has one basic tendency and striving – to actualize, maintain and enhance the experiencing organism.

7. The best vantage point for understanding behaviour is from the internal frame of reference of the individual.

8. Behaviour is basically the goal directed attempt of the organism to satisfy its needs as experienced, in the field as perceived.

9. Emotion accompanies, and in general facilitates, such goal directed behaviour, the kind of emotion being related to the perceived significance of the behaviour for the maintenance and enhancement of the organism.

10. Values are experienced directly by the organism, and in some instances are values introjected or taken over from others, but perceived in distorted fashion, as if they had been experienced directly.

11. As experiences occur in the life of the individual, they are either, a) symbolized, perceived and organized into some relation to the self, b) ignored because there is no perceived relationship to the self structure, c) denied symbolization or given distorted symbolization because the experience is inconsistent with the structure of the self.

12. Most of the ways of behaving that are adopted by the organism are those that are consistent with the concept of self.

13. In some instances, behaviour may be brought about by organic experiences and needs which have not been symbolized. Such behaviour may be inconsistent with the structure of the self but in such instances the behaviour is not “owned” by the individual.

14. Psychological adjustment exists when the concept of the self is such that all the sensory and visceral experiences of the organism are, or may be, assimilated on a symbolic level into a consistent relationship with the concept of self.

15. Psychological maladjustment exists when the organism denies awareness of significant sensory and visceral experiences, which consequently are not symbolized and organized into the gestalt of the self structure. When this situation exists, there is a basic or potential psychological tension.

16. Any experience which is inconsistent with the organization of the structure of the self may be perceived as a threat, and the more of these perceptions there are, the more rigidly the self structure is organized to maintain itself.

17. Under certain conditions, involving primarily complete absence of threat to the self structure, experiences which are inconsistent with it may be perceived and examined, and the structure of self revised to assimilate and include such experiences.

18. When the individual perceives and accepts into one consistent and integrated system all his sensory and visceral experiences, then he is necessarily more understanding of others and is more accepting of others as separate individuals.

19. As the individual perceives and accepts into his self structure more of his organic experiences, he finds that he is replacing his present value system – based extensively on introjections which have been distortedly symbolized – with a continuing organismic valuing process.

Rogers believed that these feelings of unhappiness are important because they serve [...]]]> Carl Rogers used the term Incongruence to describe feelings of depression and unhappiness caused by not living the life we really want to. Rogers felt that individuals could have a good job, marriage and children but still feel unhappy, a key element of Incongruence.

Rogers believed that these feelings of unhappiness are important because they serve to remind us that we aren’t on the path we would really like to be. He felt that we often take a direction in life based on societies values and principles rather than our own. These are programmed into us during childhood by our parents and other authority figures which we accept without question, and which stay with us throughout adulthood. An example could be a career path we are encouraged to pursue, or a marriage we are encouraged to stay in rather than risk societal and family rejection or disapproval.

The key is to follow our own personal value system, which Rogers called the ‘organismic valuing process’, or risk feelings of Incongruence. How can counselling help us get in touch with our true value system?

Rogers believed the role of the counsellor is to interpret what is being said to them by their client, and not try to analyse their unconscious as recommended by Freud. The counsellor needs to reflect back to the client so that they can become more aware of their feelings and the situation they are in. The client can then think about what is making them unhappy in their present situation and discover the path they would like to take.

Client Centred Therapy

The basis of this approach is for the counsellor not to direct the client with questions, assessments, opinions and interpretations. Instead the counsellor provides a safe, [...]]]> Carl Ransom Rogers (1902 – 1987) was born in Oak Park, Illinois. He is known as the father of client centred therapy, sometimes called non-directive therapy.

Client Centred Therapy

The basis of this approach is for the counsellor not to direct the client with questions, assessments, opinions and interpretations. Instead the counsellor provides a safe, non-judgemental and supportive environment where the client can decide what is discussed. The client has complete control of each counselling session. Rogers believed that each client could find their own solutions to current difficulties without having the counsellor set the direction of their therapy.

The Core Conditions

“The whole conceptual framework of Carl Rogers rests on his profound experience that human beings become increasingly trustworthy once they feel at a deep level that their subjective experience is both respected and progressively understood.” (Quoted from Thorne). We can see this at work in what Rogers called the ’Core Conditions’ of counselling, which are often known by the acronym ‘CUE’.

C = Congruence (realness, genuineness. Your body language reflects what you are saying).

U = Unconditional Positive Regard (respect for the client. You hold the client in high regard at all times).

E = Empathy (a complete understanding of the client’s thoughts and feelings).