fei75766_ch10_309-344.indd 328  02/06/20 12:29 PM
Part III    Humanistic/Existential Theories328
Because theirideal selfandtheirrealselfaremore congruent, clients experi -
encelessphysiological andpsychological tension, arelessvulnerable tothreat, and
havelessanxiety. They arelesslikely tolooktoothers fordirection andlesslikely to
useothers’ opinions andvalues asthecriteria forevaluating theirownexperiences. 
Instead, theybecome more self-directed andmore likely toperceive thatthelocus of
evaluation resides within themselves. They nolonger feelcompelled toplease other 
people andtomeet external expectations. They feelsufficiently safetotakeowner -
shipofanincreasing number oftheirexperiences andcomfortable enough withthem -
selves tolessen theirneed fordenial anddistortion.
Their relationships withothers arealsochanged. They become more accept -
ingofothers, make fewer demands, andsimply allow others tobethemselves. 
Because theyhavelessneed todistort reality, theyhavelessdesire toforce oth-
erstomeet theirexpectations. They arealsoperceived byothers asbeing more 
mature, more likable, andmore socialized. Their genuineness, positive self-regard, 
andempathic understanding areextended beyond therapy, andtheybecome better 
abletoparticipate inother growth-facilitating relationships (Rogers, 1959, 1961). 
Table 10.1illustrates Rogers’ theory oftherapy.
The Person of Tomorrow
Theinterest shown byRogers inthepsychologically healthy individual isrivaled 
onlybythatofMaslow (seeChapter 9).Whereas Maslow wasprimarily aresearcher, 
Rogers wasfirstofallapsychotherapist whose concern withpsychologically healthy 
people grew outofhisgeneral theory oftherapy. In1951, Rogers firstbriefly putTABLE 10.1
Rogers’ Theory of Therapeutic Change
Ifthefollowing conditions exist:
 1.avulnerable oranxious client
 2.contacts acounselor whopossesses
 3. congruence in the relationship,
 4. unconditional positive regard for the 
client, and
 5. empathic understanding for the 
client’s internal frame of reference, 
and
 6.theclient perceives Conditions 3,
4,and5—the three necessary and
sufficient conditions fortherapeutic 
growth;Then therapeutic change occurs andthe
client will
 1. become more congruent;
 2. be less defensive;
 3. become more open to experiences;
 4.haveamore realistic viewofthe
world;
 5.develop positive self-regard;
 6.narrow thegapbetween ideal self
andrealself;
 7.belessvulnerable tothreat;
 8.become lessanxious;
 9.takeownership ofexperiences;
10.become more accepting ofothers;
11.become more congruent in
relationships withothers.
Note:  Boldfaced phrases represent the key therapeutic conditions and the most basic outcomes.Final PDF to printer