2021 Reprint of the 1960 Edition. Facsimile of the original edition and not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. In this essay, delivered as an address at Haverford College, Pennsylvania in 1959, Rogers discusses man's purpose and goal in life. In his therapeutic work Rogers sees clients take such directions as: away from facades; away from "oughts"; away from meeting expectations; away from pleasing others; toward being a process; toward being a complexity; toward openness to experience; toward acceptance of others; toward trust of self. Given a therapeutic climate of warmth, acceptance, and empathic understanding, the client moves from what he is not toward "being," toward becoming that which he inwardly and actually is. Quoting Kierkegaard, "to be that self which one truly is." A worthy goal indeed.

Collection of essays by American psychotherapist Carl Rogers written between 1951 and 1961, in which he put forth his ideas about self-esteem, flexibility, respect for self, and acceptance of others.

Abstract: A psychotherapist's clinical dealings with personal counseling and interpersonal relationships, from a context of personal experience and learning, is reviewed in a collection of papers designed for professionals in many disciplines. Understanding of person-centered concepts such as self-actualization, individual growth, and personal goals, may lead to lessening of tensions in human relations. The therapeutic relationship facilitates the process of growth and change in a client. Characteristics of helping relationships are described. The therapist expresses his view of how a fully functioning person behaves. Research in client-centered psychotherapy is discussed. Psychotherapy has potential implications for education, interpersonal communication, family life, and personal creativity. Behavioral sciences should play a constructive role in personal development.