Who is the founder of person-centered therapy?

• A. Sigmund Freud
• B. Carl Rogers
• C. Erik Erikson
• D. B. F. Skinner

Answer: (B)

Person-centered therapy emphasizes that individuals have the capacity to move toward growth when placed in a supportive, accepting relationship. The key idea is that the therapist fosters a nonjudgmental, genuine, and empathic environment—unconditional positive regard, accurate empathy, and congruence or genuineness—that helps clients access their own inner resources and solutions rather than being told what to do.

This approach was developed by Carl Rogers in the mid-20th century, making him the founder of person-centered (client-centered) therapy. Rogers argued that therapy works best when the client leads and the therapist provides a facilitative stance rather than directing or interpreting.

In contrast, other well-known figures came from different traditions—Sigmund Freud with psychoanalysis, B. F. Skinner with behaviorism, and Erik Erikson with psychosocial development—each focusing on different mechanisms of change, not the person-centered approach.