If you've been wondering Who Founded experiential therapy, read on. Here are some basic facts about the founders of the field. You can use them as the basis for a therapy program. And remember to use the word "experience" rather than the word "technique," which imply that therapy is performed by technique and how the person lives. The latter is usually ineffective and confuses the person receiving the treatment. The former, on the other hand, is the preferred term.
Rogers
The earliest forms of psychotherapy were largely based on behaviorist or psychoanalytic approaches. Rogers, however, believed that clients are the experts in their own lives and the key to change lies in their understanding of themselves. Through collaborative conversations, Rogers sought to help clients understand their own experiences and the meaning of their behaviors. While his approach may sound more intuitive than conventional psychotherapy, some criticisms have been raised in the field.
The theory underlying Rogers' practice is quite simple. He viewed human beings as essentially good and motivated by an innate desire to develop. He viewed mental health as a process of psychological development, and mental illness as a disruption of this natural tendency to develop. In essence, he saw the process of psychotherapy as an attempt to help clients realize their full potential. It is thus essential to develop the individual's potential by exploring the issues that impede their progress and thereby promote healing and growth.
After becoming a professor at the University of Wisconsin in 1951, Rogers left the University of Wisconsin and moved to La Jolla, California, where he helped found the Western Behavioral Studies Institute. From here, he continued his work in client-centered psychotherapy until 1987, eventually becoming a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Rogers believed that the need to develop lies within each individual, and that this is the primary motivation behind all human behavior.
In addition to developing person-centered approaches, Rogers also founded a series of residential workshops that involved individuals from all over the world. His workshops focused on cross-cultural communication and self-empowerment. The person-centered approach to psychotherapy has a wide-spread acceptance and has made an immense impact on modern therapy. The principles underlying Rogers's person-centered approach are the foundation for most of the work we do today.
Gendlin
Eugene Gendlin is a psychotherapist who developed Focusing, an approach to mental health. Born in Vienna in 1926, he lived in the city until 1938, narrowly escaping Nazi totalitarianism. Although he was opposed to power, he grew up in a household with a father who made decisions based on his feelings. His practice of Focusing became widely known, and his work has spawned numerous variations.
Eugene Gendlin studied philosophy and psychology at the University of Chicago, and later became a research director at the Wisconsin Psychiatric Institute. He also taught philosophy and comparative human development at the University of Chicago. His work has influenced the development of somatic therapies around the world. He died in 2016 at the age of 90. The legacy of his work is undeniable, and the practice of experiential therapy continues to flourish.
In his groundbreaking work, Gendlin bridged the gap between psychology and philosophy. He became a disciple of Carl Rogers, whose "person-centered" approach revolutionized psychotherapy. He also drew from American Pragmatism and European Phenomenology to develop his therapy. His approach helped demonstrate that the secret of effective therapy lies in the "mind-body connection."
In contrast, experiential therapy combines various types of psychotherapy, including art therapy, music therapy, equine therapy, recreational therapy, and wilderness therapy. By combining various types of experience, the therapist is able to allow patients to gain insight into their inner worlds and experience more deeply. In many cases, the therapist and patient interact in drama, acting out their story or interacting with others. For those who are uncomfortable with the idea of sharing their stories, drama therapy is an excellent option.
In his later career, Gendlin taught philosophy and psychology at the University of Chicago. During this time, he developed his "Thinking at the Edge" methodology, which draws on non-conceptual experiential knowing to develop an innovative theory. In the course of this research, he made many important discoveries. The foundations of Gendlin's groundbreaking work will continue to impact psychology for years to come.