My life experience allowed me to meet and get closer to a number of different people. However, not all relationships were as meaningful as the one with my best friend, with whom I have been together for more than eight years. Along with many other people, during those years, we have encountered many positive and negative events that shaped us into who we are now. That is when I understood what Rogers meant in his studies by describing the nature of the therapeutic relationship. He believed that because of such relationships, people begin to value “an openness to inner and outer experiences, sensitivity-to and acceptance-of others as they are, and develop greater ability achieve close relationships” (“Carl Rogers Summary,” para. 18). As for my own story, because of this friendship, I learned to be rational and composed in my actions.
Previously I was too hot-headed, and because of this, many good relationships were ruined. However, the example of my patient and collected best friend has taught me to think of others’ comfort before submitting to my anger. I would say that because of her, I now know how to value another person’s perspective. On the other hand, my own emotional sensitivity has shown my best friend that it is more helpful to be transparent and sincere. In other words, she began to express her true feelings instead of continuing to keep them to herself. By trying to communicate about them in a clear way, she also learned to understand herself better. For this reason, I believe that our friendship has influenced both of us in a good way by demonstrating different approaches to conflicts and self-expression. Therefore, there is no doubt that our relationship can be considered therapeutic.
Reference
“Carl Rogers Summary”. (2017). Sonoma State University. Web.