Carl Rogers
Synthesis
Carl Rogers was one of the first psychologists to develop non-directive pyschotherapy. His basic tenets are unconditional love, a positive client-counselor relationship, and that the client can solve his own problems by talking about them with someone else
Bibliography
Carl Ransom Rogers was born on January 8, 1902, in Oak Park, Illinois. His father was an engineer, his mother a house wife and devoted Christian. Following an education in an strict, religious and ethical environnement, he became a rather isolated, independent and disciplined person, and acquired a knowledge and an appreciation for the scientific method in a practical world. His first career choice agriculture, followed by religion. Following a voyage in Beijing, he started to doubt his religious convictions; to help him clarify his career choice, he goes to a seminar entitled 'Why am I a religious?', following which he decides to change career.
He signs-up to the Psychology program in Chicago, and obtains his Ph.D. in 1931. At the time, he admits being influenced by several sources such as Elliot, Kilpatrick and Lowry. He teaches and practices with Ohio State (1940), University of Chicago (1945) and the University of Wisconsin (1957). However, following several internal conflicts at the department of psychology of Wisconsin, Carl Rogers became disillusioned with academicia. He receives an offer at La Jolla for research, where he does therapy, speeches and wrote until his death in 1987.