Some Misconceptions of and Questions about Client-centered Therapy

It was about 1948 that an apocryphal story began circulating that parodied the idea of passivity. Carl Rogers, it was said, was counseling a client in an office high up in an office building. The client: "I feel terrible." Rogers: "You feel terrible." The client: "I really feel terrible." Rogers: "You really feel terrible." The client: "For two cents I'd jump out of that window." Rogers: "For two cents you'd jump out of that window." Client, getting up and going to the window: "Here I go." He jumps out of the window. Rogers, getting up and going to the window: "There you go." Another line was apparently added later. The client hits the ground with a plop sound. Rogers: "Plop."