ROGERS, CARL

(1902-1987) Obtaining a doctorate from the Teachers College of Columbia University in 1931, Carl Rogers was a U.S. psychologist. He retained several faculty placements in his professional career; however, during his time teaching at University of Chicago (1944-1957), he most thoroughly formulated and defined his unique method of mental therapy. Rogers began client-focused treatment, as well as the nondirective strategy, which he considered to be offering the patient a comfortable, soothing environment designed to promote character development along with a recognition of internal possibilities. Applicable within a loosely connected selection of concepts and strategies of humanistic psychology, client-focused treatment provided an essential substitute for Freudian and behaviorist methods which were prominent at the time. Rogers believed mental disorders were normally caused by the application of conditional positive regard, especially the imposition of conditions on both love and affection by initial authority figures like family or educators. He thought that people who suppressed their desires as a way to be given positive regard from other individuals may cultivate low self-confidence and be helpless to attain self-actualization. Client-focused treatment was intended as corrective therapy, with the healthcare professional supplying a restorative environment of absolute positive regard, comfort, and lack of criticism would, in theory, allow the patient to flourish and grow to be a fully functioning human being as per Roberts' understanding. See also: conditions of worth; growth principle.