Person-centred Communication: Theory, Skills and Practice

Person-centred communication involves significant and empathic perception and understanding of oneself and others. This book uses the humanistic psychology of Carl Rogers to offer a comprehensive person-centred communication framework, which the authors have tried and tested in therapeutic, education and management practice. Skilfully blending theory with practice, the authors explain the core skills of person-centred communication. There are reflective exercises and conversation transcripts from a variety of settings, along with many examples from therapy and related helping professions. These span diverse life situations and applications, including:

One-to-one work with clients
Teamwork and groupwork
Lifelong learning
Reflection
Online and other written forms of communication

Exploring these real life situations offers invaluable inspiration to therapists, students and trainees as well as practitioners in the helping professions. This book will help you to process your experiences more sensitively, thus improving your own practice, relationships, and teamwork. “In my opinion this book should be read by every potential power wielding human being likely to make any impact on the world!”

Therapy Today

“This book shows the incredible value of person-centred communication to educators, psychologists and leaders, anyone interested in effective, helpful and growthful human relationships will find this an excellent resource.“
Stephen Joseph, Professor of Psychology, Health and Social Care, University of Nottingham, UK

“No matter what your field or context, Person-centred Communication offers a path to a more meaningful, successful life.“ Jeffrey H. D. Cornelius-White, Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator of Counseling, Missouri State University, USA

“The authors’ presentation of live case examples, personal experiences, questions asking the reader to reflect and the connections they make with other sources pertaining to subjects outside the Person Centred way, makes for an enjoyable and valuable reading.“
Antonio Monteiro dos Santos, Clinical, Coaching & Counselling Psychologist, USA and Brazil

“The authors bring together modern scientific data, practice and everyday experience to reveal the depth and power of person-centred communication.“ Veniamin Kolpachnikov, Associated Professor, Higher School of Economics, National Research University, Moscow, Russia

“This is a great book at the right time for all those interested in avoiding power struggles, communication breakdowns and even those little personal wars that constantly wear us down. This book, in other words, can change your life for the better!“ David Ryback, President of EQ Associates International

“The authors demonstrate how the person-centered approach is universally applicable and confirm its effectiveness in both the therapeutic and non-therapeutic context.“ Eva Sollarova, Professor of Psychology and Dean, Constantine the Philosopher University, Nitra, Slovakia

“I would recommend the book to anyone doing one-to-one work with others, or anyone interested in the subject of understanding oneself and others in communication.“
Tomas Pitner, PhD, Associate Professor, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic

Author Biography

Renate Motschnig is a professor at the University of Vienna, Austria, and has held positions in Europe and Canada and participated in numerous events based on the person-centred approach. Being deeply interested in the multiple ways in which understanding and significant whole-person learning happen, she has published more than 140 international articles.
Ladislav Nykl is a person-centred psychotherapist running a private practice and holding doctorates in psychology from the Charles’ University in Prague, Czech Republic, and the University of Vienna, Austria, and a master in economics. He has published five books, led training programmes, lectured at the University of Vienna, Austria and the Masaryk University, Czech Republic, and regularly facilitates encounter groups.