On Becoming a Person

The late Carl Rogers, founder of the humanistic psychology movement, revolutionized psychotherapy with his concept of "client-centered therapy." His influence has spanned decades, but that influence has become so much a part of mainstream psychology that the ingenious nature of his work has almost been forgotten. A new introduction by Peter Kramer sheds light on the significanc...

The late Carl Rogers, founder of the humanistic psychology movement, revolutionized psychotherapy with his concept of "client-centered therapy." His influence has spanned decades, but that influence has become so much a part of mainstream psychology that the ingenious nature of his work has almost been forgotten. A new introduction by Peter Kramer sheds light on the significance of Dr. Rogers's work today. New discoveries in the field of psychopharmacology, especially that of the antidepressant Prozac, have spawned a quick-fix drug revolution that has obscured the psychotherapeutic relationship. As the pendulum slowly swings back toward an appreciation of the therapeutic encounter, Dr. Rogers's "client-centered therapy" becomes particularly timely and important.

卡尔・R・罗杰斯(1902－1987)是美国著名心理学家，人本心理学的创始人。他认为人性本善，有自我实现的发展潜力；他创立的“当事人中心疗法”主张心理治疗师要有真诚关怀当事人的感情，在真诚和谐的关系中启发当事人运用自我发展潜力促进自身的健康成长，增强自信心。 罗杰斯的心理疗法在当今欧美各国广泛流行。他认为这一原理也适用于教师与学生、父母与子女以及一般的人与人之间的关系。自20世纪50年代以来，他的影响遍及全世界，而且至今魅力不减。