Carl Rodgers and Gloria

The ability to overcome childhood adversity depends on the environment and therapy that the person undergoes later in life. Individual is likely to overcome their past troubles if they discover some hidden aspects of themselves that could help rebuild their lives. Victims of troubling events can overcome their feelings if they interact with people who understand them. Feeling understood makes people understand themselves better. Individuals are also likely to overcome harsh beginnings by interacting with therapists who help the individuals become real with themselves. Individuals are also likely to overcome difficult beginnings when they relate directly with people or when they recognize the capacity within themselves for making conclusions.

I believe the therapy offered by Carl Rodgers is effective as it involves putting yourself in the client’s situation before advising the client. However, the success of the therapy depends on the nature and kind of adversity that the client has undergone. In the case of Gloria, the approach is useful as Gloria is open and keeps pushing for answers and gives. She asks many questions and indicates her understanding of her options, and all she needs is a third party’s consent. Conversely, the situation might be different when a therapist is dealing with someone who is not open or who is traumatized and does not understand the available options.

Although Gloria might have got some help from the therapy, I doubt its efficacy on other patients like young children or individuals who are not as mature as Gloria. Unlike Rodger’s technique, my view of therapy is that it should not focus on what the client wants but what is best for the client. Moreover, establishing a relationship with the client helps to understand the client better, but getting engulfed in a client’s situation may affect the therapist’s judgment.