fei75766_ch10_309-344.indd 323  02/06/20 12:29 PM
Chapter 10    Rogers: Person-Centered Theory 323
unconditional positive regard, andempathic listening arebothnecessary andsufficient 
(Rogers, 1957).
Even though allthree conditions arenecessary forpsychological growth, 
Rogers (1980) believed thatcongruence ismore basic thaneither unconditional 
positive regard orempathic listening. Congruence isageneral quality possessed 
bythetherapist, whereas theother twoconditions arespecific feelings orattitudes 
thatthetherapist hasforanindividual client.
Counselor Congruence
Thefirstnecessary andsufficient condition fortherapeutic change isacongruent ther-
apist. Congruence exists when aperson’s organismic experiences arematched byan
awareness ofthem andbyanability andwillingness toopenly express these feelings 
(Rogers, 1980). Tobecongruent means toberealorgenuine, tobewhole orintegrated, 
tobewhat onetrulyis.Rogers (1995) spoke about congruence inthese words:
In my relationships with persons I have found that it does not help, in the long run, to 
act as though I were something that I am not. ...Itdoesnothelptoactcalm and
pleasant when actually Iamangry andcritical. Itdoesnothelptoactasthough 
Iwerepermissive when Iamreally feeling thatIwould liketosetlimits. ...Itdoes
nothelptoactasthough Iwereacceptant ofanother person when underneath that
exterior Ifeelrejection. (p.9)
Acongruent counselor, then, isnotsimply akindandfriendly person butrather a
complete human being withfeelings ofjoy,anger, frustration, confusion, andsoon.
When these feelings areexperienced, theyareneither denied nordistorted butflow
easily intoawareness andarefreely expressed. Acongruent therapist, therefore, isnot
passive, notaloof, anddefinitely not“nondirective.”
Congruent therapists arenotstatic. Likemost other people, theyareconstantly 
exposed toneworganismic experiences, butunlike most people, theyaccept these 
experiences intoawareness, which contributes totheirpsychological growth. They 
wear nomask, donotattempt tofakeapleasant facade, andavoid anypretense of
friendliness andaffection 
when these emotions are
nottrulyfelt.Also, they
donotfakeanger, tough -
ness, orignorance, nordo
theycover upfeelings of
joy,elation, orhappiness. 
Inaddition, theyareable
tomatch feelings with
awareness andbothwith
honest expression.
Because congru -
enceinvolves (1)feelings, 
(2)awareness, and(3)
expression, incongruence 
canarisefrom either of
thetwopoints dividing 
Effective client-centered therapy requires acongruent counselor 
whofeelsempathy andunconditional positive regard fortheclient. 
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