Rogers beyond the therapy room: Is the person-centred approach holding the key for survival?

A School of Education seminar hosted by the Centre for Research in Human Flourishing  

Presented by Awa Ottiger, Assistant Professor (Counselling for Depression), School of Education, University of Nottingham   

Face-to-face and online 

This seminar offers a timely opportunity to explore the enduring and far-reaching relevance of Carl R Rogers' person-centred approach, particularly in relation to the pressing socio-political and ecological challenges facing the world today. In this talk, Awa Ottiger enquires about the potential and 'response-ability' of the person-centred approach in addressing the current socio-political and ecological crises, drawing from Rogers’ extensive work outside the therapy room. 
 
While Rogers is best known for his pioneering work in psychotherapy, his vision for the person-centred approach was always expansive. He emphasized the importance of empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard—not just in individual therapy, but in all areas of human interaction. In this talk, Ottiger invites the audience to reflect on the profound potential of the person-centred approach to address current global crises, both socially and ecologically. 
 
In the role of assistant professor at the University of Nottingham, Ottiger collaborates with and contributes to the Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression programme and the MA Person-Centred Experiential Counselling and Psychotherapy. She has been involved in research around authenticity and ecological sensitivity with an interest in person-centred, sustainable leadership. 
 
Through this seminar, attendees will be invited to reflect on how they can integrate the core qualities of the person-centred approach into their responses to the socio-political and ecological challenges of the 21st century. 

Publications:  
Ottiger, A. S. & Joseph S. (2021). From Ego-Centred to Eco-Centred: An Investigation of the Association between Authenticity and Ecological Sensitivity. Person-centered & experiential psychotherapies 20.2 (2021): 139–151.  
Ottiger, A. S. (2024). Authenticity, Heroism, and Humanistic Person-Centered Psychology. In Allison T.S. (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Heroism Studies, Springer.