History and influences[edit]

Person-centered therapy was developed by Carl Rogers in the 1940s and 1950s,^[6]: 138 and was brought to public awareness largely through his highly influential book Client-centered Therapy, published in 1951.^[7] It has been recognized as one of the major types of psychotherapy (theoretical orientations), along with psychodynamic psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, classical Adlerian psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, existential therapy, and others.^[6]: 3 Its underlying theory arose from the results of empirical research; it was the first theory of therapy to be driven by empirical research,^[8] with Rogers at pains to reassure other theorists that "the facts are always friendly".^[9] Originally called non-directive therapy, it "offered a viable, coherent alternative to Freudian psychotherapy. ... [Rogers] redefined the therapeutic relationship to be different from the Freudian authoritarian pairing."^[10]


Person-centered therapy is often described as a humanistic therapy, but its main principles appear to have been established before those of humanistic psychology.^[11] Some have argued that "it does not in fact have much in common with the other established humanistic therapies"^[12] but, by the mid-1960s, Rogers accepted being categorized with other humanistic (or phenomenological-existential) psychologists in contrast to behavioral and psychoanalytic psychologists.^[13] Despite the importance of the self to person-centered theory, the theory is fundamentally organismic and holistic in nature,^[14][15] with the individual's unique self-concept at the center of the unique "sum total of the biochemical, physiological, perceptual, cognitive, emotional and interpersonal behavioural subsystems constituting the person".^[16]


Rogers coined the term counselling in the 1940s because, at that time, psychologists were not legally permitted to provide psychotherapy in the US. Only medical practitioners were allowed to use the term psychotherapy to describe their work.^[17]


Rogers affirmed individual personal experience as the basis and standard for living and therapeutic effect.^{[6]: 142–143} This emphasis contrasts with the dispassionate position which may be intended in other therapies, particularly the behavioral therapies. Hallmarks of Rogers's person-centered therapy include: living in the present rather than the past or future; organismic trust; naturalistic faith in one's own thoughts and the accuracy in one's feelings; a responsible acknowledgment of one's freedom; and a view toward participating fully in our world and contributing to other peoples' lives. Rogers also claimed that the therapeutic process is, in essence, composed of the accomplishments made by the client. The client, having already progressed further along in their growth and maturation development, only progresses further with the aid of a psychologically favored environment.^[18]


Although client-centered therapy has been criticized by behaviorists for lacking structure and by psychoanalysts for actually providing a conditional relationship,^[6] it has been shown to be an effective treatment.^{[19][20][21][22]}