Many apparently find this more 'academic' approach harder to digest than his less "theoretical" works, but on the other hand this is still very easy to read and powerful in its approach. By reflecting his inner reality back, this provides the client with an opportunity to dive more deeply into his psyche, down to the layer of conflict. The words "perceived experiential" exposure here is meant to imply that the experience is not truly the individual's, but an assimilation of outside social assessments of the individual or phenomena the individual may find him or herself experiencing. I also found the emphasis placed on the importance of the counselor having a genuine attitude of acceptance and empathy, as well as being comitted to achieving a high level of personal awareness and growth to be a refreshing reminder.

I read Roger's CCT in such a context, my second exposure to him, the first having been in an earlier EdPsych class. Inner-external conflicts are when an individual's internal representation of himself and the world is in conflict with his experience of the world. One side note that I loved: through the exploration of his unconscious experiences and resolving his conflicts, the client comes to develop a more accurate symbolization of reality, a better representation. The commonly known technique of active listening is better viewed this way: echoing back to the person his perception of his inner world.I do not fully agree that a nondirective approach would work in all cases, but I feel that there is much benefit in beginning the counseling relationship with the idea that a client is worthy of respect and should be seen as someone who has an ability to make changes himself rather than someone needing to be taught the answers by the counselor.

I was impressed with Roger’s practical ways of writing about how the client centred approach should be implemented. The younger teachers were there either as visiting instructors or on probation, hoping for regular appointments. Therefore, experience should dictate and precede theory as words will always fall short of the full experience. By contradicting experience with self-concept (I shouldn't be attracted to the same sex [because society, relatives, and religion say so], I can't be attracted to the same sex [because this would render me unlovable], therefore I am NOT attracted to the same sex [because I fear the outcome, whether consciously or otherwise]), anxieties and disconnect with one's self arise.

He received many honors, including the first Distinguished Professsional Contributor Award and the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award of the American Psychological Association.

This book challenges the ideas of many contemporary therapeutic endeavours and really hammers home the message that the basics are the most important.

Essential reading for me right now, I love Carl Rogers but am feeling a little bogged down by his language in this book. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others.