Person-Centered Techniques

Carl Rogers viewed people as rational, socialized, forward moving, and realistic. He believed that people express their personal problems and try to move toward adjusting their lives. Rogers also believed that people are capable in regulating and controlling their own behavior. When counseling individuals the counselor just taps into the person's resources and potential.

A Quote by Carl Rogers:

"One of the most satisfying experiences I know-is just fully to appreciate an individual in the same way that I appreciate a sunset. When I look at the sunset…I don't find myself saying, "Soften the orange a little on the right hand corner, and put a bit more purple along the base, and use a little more pink in the cloud color…" I don't try to control a sunset. I watch it with awe as it unfolds."

Goals

The goals of person-centered therapy is to assist students in becoming more autonomous, spontaneous, and confident, so that they can learn to be free and comfortable with themselves. When students become more aware of what is going on with themselves, it will be easier for students to stop fearing and defending the feelings that are locked inside. Students are able to accept their own values, circumstances, and will tend to trust their own judgment. Person-centered focuses on the individual and the relationship they have between where they are in life and where they would like to be.
Techniques

When using person-centered therapy to counsel students, the counselor must show unconditional positive regard toward the students so that they may have the opportunity to express openly their thoughts and feelings without being threatened. The counselor must listen carefully and observe the student and then be able to recall and convey the verbal and nonverbal messages communicated by the student.