304 Part III Humanistic/Existential Theories
positive regard, and empathic listening are both necessary and sufficient
(Rogers, 1957).
Even though all three conditions are necessary for psychological growth,
Rogers (1980) believed that congruence is more basic than either unconditional
positive regard or empathic listening. Congruence is a general quality possessed
by the therapist, whereas the other two conditions are specific feelings or attitudes
that the therapist has for an individual client.Counselor Congruence
The first necessary and sufficient condition for therapeutic change is a congruent ther-
apist. Congruence exists when a person’s organismic experiences are matched by an
awareness of them and by an ability and willingness to openly express these feelings
(Rogers, 1980). To be congruent means to be real or genuine, to be whole or integrated,
to be what one truly is. Rogers (1995) spoke about congruence in these words:
In my relationships with persons I have found that it does not help, in the long
run, to act as though I were something that I am not.... It does not help to
act calm and pleasant when actually I am angry and critical. It does not help to
act as though I were permissive when I am really feeling that I would like to
set limits.... It does not help to act as though I were acceptant of another
person when underneath that exterior I feel rejection. (p. 9)
A congruent counselor, then, is not simply a kind and friendly person but rather a
complete human being with feelings of joy, anger, frustration, confusion, and so
on. When these feelings are experienced, they are neither denied nor distorted but
flow easily into awareness and are freely expressed. A congruent therapist, there-
fore, is not passive, not aloof, and definitely not “nondirective.”
Congruent therapists are not static. Like most other people, they are constantly
exposed to new organismic experiences, but unlike most people, they accept these
experiences into awareness, which contributes to their psychological growth. They
wear no mask, do not attempt to fake a pleasant facade, and avoid any pretense of
friendliness and affection when these emotions are not truly felt. Also, they do not
fake anger, toughness, or
ignorance, nor do they
cover up feelings of joy,
elation, or happiness. In
addition, they are able to
match feelings with
awareness and both with
honest expression.
Because congruence
involves (1) feelings, (2)
awareness, and (3) expres-
sion, incongruence can
arise from either of the two
points dividing these three
experiences. First, there
can be a breakdown
between feelings andEffective client-centered therapy requires a congruent counselor
who feels empathy and unconditional positive regard for the client.
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