You know the studies done by Carl Rogers on Gloria? Does anyone know what Gloria's last name was?

Question

It was from the training film entitled "Three Approaches to Psychotherapy."

Answer 1

I'm sure those records are (for obvious reasons) confidential. Gloria died some years ago, but she does have surviving family, and I'm sure they'd prefer to avoid unwanted attention from people regarding the provocative material that was recorded. Carl Rogers did write an afterword about her, however, which I quote below.

"For years students and professionals from all parts of the country and abroad have been asking me "Do you have any further information about Gloria?" They have been much moved and stimulated by viewing the three interviews held with Gloria in 1964 by myself, Fritz Perls, and Albert Ellis. The three therapists interviewed her, in that order, all in one day.

I have answered this question dozens, perhaps hundreds of times. But since the film, to my surprise, continues to be heavily used in teaching, I should like to give a more public answer.

Gloria kept in touch with me by letters--usually one or two a year--for a period of at least ten years. The last letter I had from her, shortly before her untimely death, was written fifteen years after the filmed interview.

Without quoting her, or giving the private details, I should like to present a few of the highlights of our intermittent yet close relationship, which showed so clearly her increasing maturity and ability to cope, and to be her true self.

A year or more after the interview was filmed, the Western Behavioral Sciences Institute, of which I was a member, was organizing a weekend conference where I was to be the leader. The person handling the registrations came to me and said, "Here is a Gloria, applying for the workshop. Would it be the Gloria?" I looked at the application and found that it was. I wrote her, telling her that we were planning to use the three films as a rather central part of the weekend. Personally, I would be delighted to have her attend, but she might find it somewhat uncomfortable to be talked about by so many people. She came, and I believe the experience with the group was somewhat uncomfortable for her. There were two experiences which occurred during that weekend which are worthy of note.

After the showing of the Fritz Perls interview with her, Gloria stood up in the group of more than a hundred people, obviously wanting to speak. Her face was flushed and it was soon evident that she was furious. "Why did I do all those things that he asked me to do! Why did I let him do that to me!" She felt that she had somehow given over her power and this enraged her. She made it very clear that she did not like the interview at all.

This reaction was of special interest to the group since at the conclusion of the original filming she had expressed quite a different view. At that time she had been asked whether she had any comments about the three therapists. She said that if she were beginning therapy she would like to work with me. She thought that in her present situation the challenging ways of Dr. Perls might be the best for her. So it was somewhat surprising to find that when she relived the experience by watching the film, she was repelled by Dr. Perls' domination of her and her acquiescence in surrendering her power.

The second aspect of the weekend which I wish to report is the luncheon she shared with me and my wife. I had wanted to learn how life was going for her and I invited her to take lunch with us. She and Helen formed a very quick contact (Helen's interest in people was like a magnet) and we had a lively and enjoyable luncheon. As we were about to leave, she said she had a question she wanted to ask. Would we object if, in her thinking, she regarded us as her parents in spirit? We both understood her to mean that she wished to see us as parents she would have liked to have had. We each replied that we would be pleased and honored to have that status in her life. Her warm feelings for us were reciprocated.

In the ensuing years she wrote me about many things in her life, but I do not feel free to reveal the content. I will only say that there were very good times, and there were tragic times, especially of family illness, and she showed sensitivity, wisdom, and courage in meeting the different aspects of her experience. I felt enriched by knowing the open way in which she met difficult issues. I was often touched by her letters.

I believe that those who view (or read*) the interview will gain more from it by knowing a small part of my later interaction with Gloria. I am awed by the fact that this fifteen-year association grew out of the quality of the relationship we formed in one thirty-minute period in which we truly met as persons. It is good to know that even one half-hour can make a difference in a life."

______________________

Answer 2

Carl Rogers Gloria

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
You know the studies done by Carl Rogers on Gloria? Does anyone know what Gloria's last name was?
It was from the training film entitled "Three Approaches to Psychotherapy."

Answer 4

Gloria appears to have been a patient. For issues of privacy, the patient's name is not given when a case is described. The name Gloria itself is probably not the patient's real given name.