In the view of some, there are times when the integration of the necessary and sufficient conditions leads to another, 'transformational' quality known as 'presence'

Over the years, there have been indications from some personcentred writers that there are times in the therapy session when there is a kind of peak experience, transforming both client and therapist. In his later years, Rogers (in Kirschenbaum and Henderson 1990a: 137) described this quality and named it `presence'. He wrote:

When I am at my best, as a group facilitator or a therapist, I discover another characteristic. I ®nd that when I am closest to my inner, intuitive self, when I am somehow in touch with the unknown in me, when perhaps I am in a slightly altered state of consciousness in the relationship, then whatever I do seems to be full of healing. Then simply my presence is releasing and helpful.