The process of becoming a person, according to Carl Rogers

The process of becoming a person is a journey that usually lasts a lifetime. Carl Rogers, a key figure in the field of modern psychotherapy, taught us that the human being is a dynamic entity with a tendency toward self-realization. Changes are a constant, as are ups and downs. However, in this very complex itinerary we are increasingly outlining our authentic self.

Our biggest problem is undoubtedly internal resistance and those masks that we sometimes put on to function in society. We all harbor more than one defense that vetoes our personal growth. We are weighed down excessively by fears, the wounds of yesterday, the anxieties of tomorrow and the dissatisfactions of the present..

More than living, we “survive”, becoming entities that fail to expand their full potential. We function like automatons that are carried away by inertia, stagnant, sad and dissatisfied. According to Rogers, Becoming a person implies, above all, getting in touch with that self that is hidden.almost buried under many layers of dissatisfaction and superficiality.

The subjective process of becoming a healthier person involves being more open to our emotional experiences.

The process of becoming a person: what does it consist of?

Carl Rogers wrote On Becoming a Person (The process of becoming a person) in 1956. This author stands out for being one of the main promoters of humanistic theory, along with Abraham Maslow, and also for creating person-centered therapy. His renewing perspective marked a break with behaviorism and psychoanalysis, attempting to break with his determinism.

Rogers believed in self-actualization and the ability of every person to achieve their goals. your deepest desires and desires. Our character today thought that we all have a dormant potential; To awaken it, it is necessary to work and delve deeper into a series of variables.

Likewise, he insisted that it is positive to take one aspect into account: life is a process, not a state. Becoming a person means accepting that we are not static entities, but rather flowing rivers that are constantly changing. We are a wonderful constellation of potentialities that we can develop in different phases of our lives. Thus, Growth never stops stopping in us, it is part of our nature, our reason for being.

The environment matters: what we need from others

People are not isolated entities, solitary islands that develop separately from the rest. Quite the opposite. We are social beings who need healthy relationships and bonds to flourish.. As Rogers himself pointed out, we are like trees that need the sun and water to nourish our roots and extend our branches.

What do we need from our environment?

Authentic figures to trust, capable of understanding us, with whom we can open up and share needs, ideas, emotions, fears, etc.We also need acceptance, not to be judged, criticized or sanctioned. For human beings to flourish and develop in freedom, they need a positive appreciation from their environment. Empathy is that third indisputable factor. Feeling heard and understood is an indisputable need.

Becoming a person is being motivated to change

Many therapeutic approaches follow the classic d model.and “identify the problem, understand causes and create an action plan”. Carl Rogers advocated an alternative approach to his clients. The first thing was to create a therapeutic context of acceptance, closeness and care.

Only when human beings are immersed in a psychosocial context of acceptance and respect, do they feel motivated to change.. It is then that the process of becoming a person begins again, by becoming aware of a series of aspects:

We must be more realistic with our self-perceptions.It is necessary to understand our emotions, needs and thoughts.We must value ourselves more positively, avoiding repressing elements of our experiences.Well-being embraces us when we feel more confident and self-directed toward change.It is also necessary to adapt much better to our circumstances, knowing how to manage stress and anxiety.

Happiness is not a destination, it is a process in which to invest efforts constantly.

What is a fully functional and happy person like?

What does it mean to be a fully functional person? It is true that we are all, to the extent of our possibilities, valid and functional men and women. However, within Carl Rogers’ perspective, this term had to do with satisfaction, personal fulfillment, and psychological balance.

The process to develop all our human potential requires, according to this figure of psychology, working on a series of aspects:

Be open to experiences. Accept and understand both positive valence and negative valence emotions.Focus on the present without constantly looking at the pastor worry excessively about what has not yet happened.Being able to trust others, build healthy and enriching relationships.Be creative, develop skills to face changes and problems.Live intensely, meaningfully, without fear, accepting challenges.

To conclude, one of the most beautiful legacies that the creator of person-centered therapy left us is that we can all improve our well-being. Inside us there are powerful tools and values that are possible to develop to promote our growth and happiness.

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