Carl Rogers during initial interviews: A moderate and consistent therapist

Analyzes completely 2 initial interviews by Rogers using R. R. Carkhuff's (1969) scales, the Counselor Verbal Response Category System, and a brief grammatical analysis to establish the level and consistency with which Rogers provides facilitative conditions. Data were combined into quarters of each interview. It was found that Rogers manifested moderate levels of empathy, respect, and genuineness throughout both interviews and that his behavior as counselor, according to the 3 classification systems used, was stable and consistent within and across interviews. It is proposed that Rogers's moderate level may be typical of his approach to counseling. His stability and consistency are considered to be in keeping with his theoretical approach but at variance with literature indicating that the facilitative conditions should be offered in a variable manner contingent on the changing needs of specific clients. (20 ref)