Carl Rogers on Empathy and His Influence on the Field of Psychotherapy

Rogers’s Humanistic Psychology
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Rogers’s Humanistic Psychology
Over the years, there have been discussions regarding empathy. The main reason that has triggered this discussion is that it has been highlighted that it is important to the individual's life. Despite this topic being popular, some people still cannot define it. Empathy refers to the ability of a person to understand the other individual's perspective (Bonfils et al., 2018, p. 20). Even though many people have discussed it, one of the individuals who gave an outstanding explanation regarding the concept of empathy is Rogers. Rogers highlights that empathy is critical since it helps the person understand what the other individual is experiencing before making any decision. Moreover, he highlights that empathy is critical since it helps build relationships (Western, 2012, 6:55-7:00). For example, he has highlighted that "empathy is a non-directive therapy since the counselor repeat the last words which the client has said" (Rogers, 1975, p. 1). Additionally, since empathy involves moving into the client's world, it helps the individual experience what the other person is feeling, thereby having comments that reflect what the other person could feel. Most people who demonstrate empathy appear genuine and warm (Bonfils et al., 2018, p.19). Furthermore, it helps the other individual to be sensitive, avoiding hurting the other person and making the other individual feel that their feeling has been acknowledged. Most empathetic people, therefore, have the power to perceive another person's internal frame accurately (Rogers, 1975, p. 2). This process has significantly boosted social connections (Bonfils et al., 2018, p. 19). For example, most empathetic people create lasting relationships.
Rogers’s ideas of empathy have played a critical role in psychotherapy. In most instances, psychotherapy is referred to as talk therapy since it includes different treatments to assist the individual in identifying and transforming troubling thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Rogers has played a critical role in psychotherapy since his ideas advocated client-centered therapy. For example, in his discussion, Rogers highlights that the most effective listening to the feelings and emotions behind the words is just a little bit concealed and where you can detect a pattern of what is being concealed (Rogers, 1975, p. 1). Furthermore, he is advocating that the psychologist should always acknowledge the client's feelings whenever speaking while avoiding the feelings that the client is unaware of since highlighting them could frighten the patient. For instance, he highlights being empathetic as "entering the private perceptual world of the other and becoming thoroughly at home with it, which helps to be sensitive from moment to moment to the changing felt meanings flowing in the other person” (Western, 2012, 12:50-13:20). Moreover, he advocates that the psychologist should frequently communicate the client's feelings. To communicate their feelings, the individual should frequently check with the other person about their sensing accuracy, which will be mainly guided ab...