ABSTRACT
Three conditions constitute a growth-promoting climate, whether speaking of the relationship between therapist and client, parent and child, leader and group, teacher and student, administrator and staff, or employer and employee. The first condition is genuinenessrealness or congruence. The more the therapist is authentic in the therapeutic relationship (i.e., putting up no professional front or personal façade), the greater the likelihood that the client will change and grow in a constructive manner. The second condition is a climate for change with unconditional positive regard. It means that when the therapist is experiencing a positive, nonjudgmental, accepting attitude toward whatever the client is at that moment, therapeutic movement or change is more likely. Finally, the third condition is empathic understanding. This means that the therapist senses accurately the feelings and personal meanings that are being experienced by the client and communicates this acceptant understanding to the client (Rogers, 1986). A set of central values that are implicit or explicit in Rogers’ theoretical writings are central to the person-centered approach:
1. Human nature is basically constructive. 2. Human nature is basically social. 3. Self-regard is a basic human need and self-regard, autonomy, and
individual sensitivity are to be protected in helping relationships.
