Core Elements

CORE ELEMENTS

People are seen as "potentially competent". Rogers argues that everyone has the capacity to grow and develop to their fullest potential and termed this idea as "actualising tendency". At the heart of person-centred theoretical approaches to pyschology and counselling are certain core elements which are "empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard". Empathy is the ability to identify with some one else especially in the feelings. Congruence has to do with the listener, helper or therapist demonstrating that they are honest, open, truthful and genuine in their approach and concern for the helpee, client or patient in the helping relationship that has been established. Unconditional Positive Regard (UPR) is that attitude which seeks not to judge the helpee, client or patient for who or what they are and also perhaps for what they may have done. UPR is concerned to demonstrate acceptance of the helpee without pre-conditions, presumptions or personal judgments.