Carl Rogers Hated Empathic Listening Skills

The father of humanistic psychotherapy was appalled by the word “reflections”

The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”

- Carl Rogers, On Becoming a Person

“reflect [became] a word that made me cringe. […] I was so shocked by these complete distortions of our approach that for a number of years I said almost nothing about empathic listening…”

So if not reflective listening skills, then what makes therapists empathic?

“Being empathic is a complex, demanding, strong yet subtle and gentle way of being.” — Carl Rogers, 1975

When reading his article I couldn’t help but think of the million-dollar question for the field of psychotherapy.

When a person feels understood by and cared for by another, they start to care for and understand themselves.

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Dr. Lord is a board certified, licensed psychologist who innovates AI mental health interventions. Her mission is to help people learn how to listen.👂🏼💗🦻🏽

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Grin Lord

Dr. Lord is a board certified, licensed psychologist who innovates AI mental health interventions. Her mission is to help people learn how to listen.👂🏼💗🦻🏽