Person-Centered Therapy: Applying Empathy, Genuineness, and Growth in Everyday Life

By Randall D. Ordovich Clarkson, MD

Carl R. Rogers (1902–1987), one of the founders of humanistic psychology, pioneered person-centered psychotherapy—revolutionizing the way we understand personality, relationships, and human potential. Widely regarded as the most influential psychotherapist in history, Rogers’ work continues to shape therapy, education, and organizational practices worldwide.

Person-Centered (PC) theory, founded by Carl Ransom Rogers, evolved over 40 years from “non-directive therapy” to the humanistic, client-centered approach now recognized as PC therapy (Murdock, 2017, p. 144). Rogers’ framework rests on six foundational principles (Jayne et al., 2019):

1. Two individuals—the client and the therapist—are in genuine psychological contact.

2. The client is in a state of incongruence, often experiencing anxiety or vulnerability.

3. The therapist demonstrates congruence and integration in their own self-awareness.

4. The therapist practices unconditional positive regard (UPR) toward the client.

5. The therapist demonstrates empathy, consistently communicated.

6. Empathy and UPR exist within the therapeutic relationship and support the client’s self-expression.

Although originally developed for clinical settings, these principles translate into everyday relationships. When we listen with empathy, accept others without judgment, and act with genuine congruence, we create environments where people feel safe to express themselves authentically (Dameron, 2016). This is as valuable in a family conversation, a workplace discussion, or even a friendly exchange as it is in therapy.

Freedom, Insight, and Small Changes

PC therapy emphasizes personal freedom. Clients are encouraged to explore and solve their problems independently, which fosters self-acceptance and personal insight (Murdock, 2017, p. 145). Importantly, “small changes cause a ripple effect that grows into larger changes” (Dameron, 2016). In everyday life, this reminds us that even minor acts of understanding, patience, or supportive feedback can have a profound impact on the people around us.

For instance, a coworker struggling with a project might benefit more from a supportive question like, “How can I help you approach this?” than a directive solution. Similarly, friends and family members often need space to explore solutions themselves rather than being told what to do.

Genuineness: Showing Up Authentically

Genuineness in PC therapy means avoiding façades and communicating freely and consistently (Murdock, 2017, p. 165). Outside of therapy, this principle encourages us to be authentic in our relationships.

• Share your honest thoughts appropriately, without forcing them on others.

• Avoid over-managing or controlling others’ responses; instead, model openness and authenticity.

• Recognize your own feelings and communicate them clearly to strengthen trust and understanding.

Rogers acknowledged that this sometimes requires careful boundary management. In personal and professional contexts, sharing your thoughts or experiences should support the other person’s growth without overstepping their autonomy (Corey et al., 2015, p. 262).

Empathy: Connecting Through Understanding

Empathy is foundational in PC therapy, allowing therapists to understand clients’ emotions and experiences (Watson et al., 2014; Watson, 2018). Applied broadly:

• Listen actively to understand someone else’s perspective, not just to respond.

• Validate feelings—a simple acknowledgment like “That sounds really challenging” can reduce tension and foster connection.

• Support self-reflection—asking open-ended questions encourages others to explore their thoughts and emotions safely.

In everyday life, empathy reduces conflict, strengthens relationships, and fosters emotional intelligence—key for families, teams, and communities alike.

The Good Samaritan (after Delacroix) by Vincent van Gogh, May 1890

Unconditional Positive Regard: Accepting Without Judgment

UPR, a core Rogerian principle, involves valuing and accepting others without judgment (Lietaer, 1984). Practically, this means:

• Offering patience and support, even when someone behaves in ways you might not fully agree with.

• Avoiding imposing your values on others, especially in cross-cultural or diverse environments (Corey et al., 2015; ACA, 2015).

• Encouraging autonomy by allowing others to make choices and learn from them, rather than trying to control outcomes.

These practices are crucial not only in therapy but in any setting where trust, collaboration, and psychological safety matter.

Ethics, Growth, and Daily Application

PC therapy’s alignment with the ACA Code of Ethics underscores the importance of respecting autonomy, minimizing harm, and recognizing cultural context (ACA, 2014; Murdock, 2017, p. 175). When we apply these principles day-to-day:

• We reduce conflicts caused by imposing personal values on others.

• We enhance inclusivity, considering diverse perspectives and experiences.

• We foster mutual growth, helping others explore solutions while maintaining their independence.

By integrating empathy, genuineness, and UPR into interactions with friends, family, colleagues, or even strangers, we create micro-environments for personal development, trust, and emotional well-being.

Conclusion: Bringing Person-Centered Principles to Life

Even small, mindful applications of these principles can help others move toward greater self-understanding, emotional regulation, and congruence. Person-Centered theory is not just a clinical framework—it’s a guide for improving our daily interactions and creating environments where everyone can thrive.

References

• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.

• Cepeda, L. M., & Davenport, D. S. (2006). Person-centered therapy and solution-focused brief therapy: An integration of present and future awareness. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 43(1), 1.

• Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2015). Issues and ethics in the helping professions. Australia: Brooks/Cole/Cengage Learning.

• Dameron, M. L. (2016). Person-Centered Counseling and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: An Integrative Model for School Counselors. Journal of School Counseling, 14(10), n10.

• Jayne, K. M., Purswell, K. E., & Stulmaker, H. L. (2019). Facilitating congruence, empathy, and unconditional positive regard through therapeutic limit-setting: Attitudinal conditions limit-setting model (ACLM). International Journal of Play Therapy, 28(4), 238.

• Lietaer, G. (1984). Unconditional positive regard: A controversial basic attitude in client-centered therapy. In R. F. Levant & J. M. Shlien (Eds.), Client-centered therapy and the person-centered approach: New directions in theory, research, and practice (pp. 41–58). Praeger.

• Murdock, N. L. (2017). Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Case Approach (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson.

• Watson, J. C., Steckley, P. L., & McMullen, E. J. (2014). The role of empathy in promoting change. Psychotherapy Research, 24(3), 286–298.

• Watson, J. C. (2018). Empathy and responsiveness in emotion-focused therapy. In O. Tishby & H. Wiseman (Eds.), Developing the therapeutic relationship: Integrating case studies, research, and practice (pp. 235–255). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000093-011