Carl Rogers and the Person-Centered Approach Social Work Applications Now and for the Future

Abstract

The work of Carl Rogers, founder of the person-centered approach to counseling, has had such a major influence on social work practice that his principles and tenets could be viewed as almost synonymous with own professional standards. Although Rogers's work and theory of counseling are typically included in social work human behavior and practice courses only as one of many theoretical frameworks for social work practice and thought, his basic assumptions and guidelines for practitioners continue to permeate social work practice and education. The strengths perspective and empowerment have been major themes in the recent social work literature that also contain clear elements of the person-centered approach. Particularly relevant is Rogers's emphasis on the client as an active participant, on respecting client's subjective experiences, and not presenting oneself as the expert. Feminist social work practice is another theme in the literature in which perhaps the most obvious comparisons can be drawn with the work of Carl Rogers.