Carl Rogers, the founder of Person Centered psychology discovered what he believed to be the “necessary and sufficient” conditions for human growth and development. Inherent in this viewpoint is a belief in our actualizing tendency. That is an indwelling and naturally striving towards wholeness and happiness. Granted at times, this tendency can be thwarted and that’s where the three conditions to support the actualizing tendency come in.
What are they?
1. Prizing, or Unconditional Positive Regard
This is accepting and prizing the individual for his or her own unique worth as a person. This is not a Pollyanna overlooking of faults, but it is a deep regard for the person, regardless of their flaws.
2. Empathy, or the ability to” walk in the shoes” of another
It’s important to try and understand and actually experience as much as possible what the other person is actually going through. It can also be important to express this understanding, to the best of our ability, to the other person.
3. Genuineness or “Congruence”
This is walking the walk, not just talking the talk. To be honest and genuine in each moment with the other person or people you are dealing with, even with your self.
Rogers believed that to the extent these conditions are present in our interactions and lives, people and organizations would naturally begin to move towards a flourishing. These conditions and practices have been experimentally verified, not only in counseling situations, but also in family relationships, education, social institutions, and politics. As a counselor, I try to use these principles as a basis for my work, and I have found these “necessary and sufficient” conditions very powerful.