A great book which explores the development and impact of group therapy on the person and society at large. This is a must have for anyone looking to understand the group process as it develops, and it's impact on the individuals who experience it.

Books aren't always going to give people insight or truly cover the scope of their feelings, but no matter what your first inclination towards this book is, it will present some things that may even give you a hint of new insight or a new way of looking at things. What Rogers describes becomes almost a "mystical" sensation, one of the few life affirming attitudes that help us rule out logical paradigms and be comfortable with our feelings.

Rogers, the father of humanistic psychology, has created a technique for assisting others to understand and deal with their problems. The non-directive approach relies upon empathy, reflection and clarification to enable the client (patient) to exercise his responsibility for himself. Implicit in the method is the belief that only the client is able to choose a solution for his problems and, with the counselor's (therapist's) help, he will come to a point where he understands the exact nature of his problems enabling him to select solutions consistent with his own values.

Non-directive techniques lend themselves to all interpersonal situations where adjustment of behavior to the demands of the environment will lead to greater satisfaction. It can be of particular value in business when counseling employees who are not performing to standard, experiencing difficulties with co-workers, expressing dissatisfaction with their work, etc.

The book addresses also application of the approach in play therapy, group centered psychotherapy, group-centered leadership and administration, student-centered teaching, and the training of counselors and therapists. Finally, Rogersdevotes a section to discussion of the implications for psychological theory.

Anyone engaged in guiding others should read this book and its predecessor: "Counseling and Psychotherapy".

Reading this book will require some time because of the transcription and content. Carl Rogers made significant changes after his contact with Martin Buber. If you have only listened to the tapes or read previous transcriptions and you need to read this book. I think reading this book provided some insight regarding both men. I have been interested in Buber's philosophy and Hassidic Judaism, and this book has been helpful. I highly recommend this book for the serious reader or student, but take the time to let the words sink in.

This is an extraordinary analysis of the narratives of Carl Rogers from varying psychotheraputic perspectives.

Rogers writes this book on what seems to be an unsure basis about his theories on human psychology which i find to be very accurate, albeit ignored theories. From Socrates, Descartes, and Sartes his theories, though accidental, seem to come from. The evolution of the human being, the mystique of free will, and the pattern of thought are all described in this book

Carl Rogers' life work. A classic and a must-read for anyone interested in clinical psychology or personal growth.

The book contains: (1) A clear and enjoyable introduction to Carl Rogers, by Carl Rogers; (2) Some Hypotheses Regarding the Facilitation of Personal Growth; (3) The characteristics of a helping relationship; (4) Objective and Subjective definitions of psychotherapy; (5) Some of the directions evident in therapy; (6) What it means to become a person; (7) A process conception of psychotherapy; (8) A philosophy of persons; (9) The place of research in psychotherapy; (10) The implications of the field's knowledge for living; (11) And, the future of the behavioral sciences in light of cultural and scientific movements.

Welcome to the world of humanistic/existential psychology. This is the book I buy as gifts for close friends, as it has forever changed me. I too am amazed that as a clincal psychology doctoral student, this book is not a Required read in our program. If you've been considering reading about humanistic psychology or Carl Rogers, this is the book to start with! Easy read, beautifully written, and incredibly insightful. Once you read his work, you'll be hooked.