Dr. Robert R. Carkhuff believes that all human growth and development begins with relating.

Dr. Carkhuff considers himself fortunate to have begun his own career in helping and human relations. He was the first to define the interpersonal core of all helping and human relationships in operational, and therefore achievable, terms. The so-called Carkhuff model is specifically the source of all current systematic approaches to interpersonal relating and, indeed, is generally the source of human resource development approaches.

Indeed, it is precisely this theme of Human Development that defines Carkhuff’s lifework. It begins with the most profound step: relating interpersonally. It culminates in a series of spiraling explosions: empowering people to actualize their own human potential. It is in the context of this ongoing work that this ninth edition of The Art of Helping is presented!