A Comparison of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology and Carl Rogers's Person-Centered Therapy

Abstract

This is a comparison of the philosophical, theoretical, and clinical features of Rogers's person-centered therapy and Kohut's psychoanalytic self psychology, including recent modifications of self psychology theory proposed by Robert Stolorow, his co-authors, and other self psychology theorists. The similarities covered are the phenomenological emphasis, the view of empathy, the holistic focus, the field theoretical view of the therapeutic relationship, and the therapies' views of human nature and requirements for growth, including the relative importance of emotion versus cognition in therapy. Some of the differences discussed are the ways in which Kohut and Rogers viewed theory, how the past is dealt with in therapy, the clinical methodologies of the therapies, their views of the necessary length of treatment, the importance of autonomy versus interdependence in human functioning, and differences with respect to self psychology and person-centered training methods. The author concludes that, although there are important similarities between the therapies, there are also significant differences with respect to the importance of consideration of the past, the transferential and countertransferential aspects of the therapeutic relationship, and the relative emphasis placed on developmental issues.