Humanistic therapy

Humanistic therapy, often referred to as the humanistic approach, is a holistic approach to psychotherapy centered on promoting personal growth. Developed in the 1940s and 1950s by psychologists Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, this humanistic psychology focuses on self-direction and healing through personal awareness, and emphasizes present experiences to help individuals overcome limiting beliefs. Rather than focusing solely on specific symptoms and psychoanalysis, this type of therapy encourages individuals to openly explore their emotions and gain a deeper understanding of their true self. This process unlocks potential, paving the way for a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

When is humanistic therapy used?

Humanistic therapy supports personal growth and self-awareness through individual, group, and family counseling. For individual therapy, humanistic therapy is often used in conjunction with other therapy approaches to help individuals address mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Humanistic therapy can also offer support and guidance to individuals facing addiction, eating disorders, or relationship challenges. Humanistic therapy can also be used in a group therapy setting to address all these things. Group humanistic therapy fosters interpersonal learning and emotional expression. In family therapy, it focuses on improving communication, resolving conflicts, and strengthening bonds during difficult times.

Humanistic interventions are also effective as affirmative therapy, helping LGBTQ+ individuals and those facing stigma or marginalization. It offers a safe space for self-expression and self-acceptance, empowering people to overcome barriers and live authentically. It’s also used in schools to support students’ emotional well-being and foster positive relationships. It also supports entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives in discovering their purpose, nurturing individual development, and embracing self-expression.

How does humanistic therapy work?

Humanistic therapy aims to empower individuals by nurturing self-awareness, personal responsibility, and growth. It redirects focus from past experiences and challenges to present moments and emotions, nurturing mindfulness and cultivating self-awareness.

Although there are various forms of humanistic therapy, they all share these core Rogerian principles:

• Understand the client’s perspective and life experiences with empathy.
• Honor the client’s cultural values, respect their autonomy, and support their right to self-determination.
• Work together with the client to address challenges, build resilience, and encourage accountability.
• Set clear therapy goals based on what the client wants to achieve.
• Provide an unconditional positive regard and acceptance of an individual’s worth as a person.
• Encourage self-discovery and personal growth, promoting the client’s potential for positive change.
• Define the therapist’s role while honoring the client’s right to make their own choices.
• Use a personalized approach to empower the client and meet their specific needs.
• Agree on a shared plan by asking, “What’s our next step?”
• Be authentic as a therapist to build trust and a genuine connection with the client.

Through humanistic therapy, clients can connect with their authentic selves, paving the way toward self-actualization—a concept introduced by Maslow in his theory of motivation to describe the realization of one’s full potential. Rather than attempting to “fix” clients, the therapist empowers them to make healthier decisions and cultivate more balanced, fulfilling lives.

What are the different types of humanistic therapy?

There are many types of humanistic therapy approaches, including:

• Person-centered therapy
• Gestalt therapy
• Existential therapy
• Narrative therapy
• Solution-focused brief therapy
• Group play therapy (GPT) for children
• Emotion-focused family therapy (EFFT)
• Emotion-focused couples therapy (EFT-C)

Among these, person-centered approach, also known as client-centered therapy, is most commonly used in therapy settings.

What is humanistic therapy like?

In general, the key techniques of humanistic therapy include active listening and open-ended dialogue, where meaningful conversations encourage self-discovery and exploration of personal values. When therapists use empathic reflection to mirror a client’s thoughts and emotions, it helps clients gain deeper insight and understanding. Emotional exploration allows clients to express feelings, nurturing self-awareness and growth.

Therapists may also employ role-playing methods, such as the empty chair technique, to help clients reflect on their behaviors, understand emotional responses, and gain perspective on their interactions with others. Creative expression, such as drawing, journaling, or music, provides an alternative way to articulate emotions that may be difficult to express verbally. Techniques like reflection and mindfulness practice guide clients in examining specific experiences or emotions, uncovering motivations and behaviors to inspire personal growth.

Is humanistic therapy effective?

A comprehensive review of 86 studies revealed that humanistic therapies deliver significant and lasting benefits for clients. The effectiveness of humanistic therapy is similar to the benefits achieved through other therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Young people may find it difficult to express emotions or may struggle with the open-ended nature of dialogue. Some clients benefit from structures approaches, and therapy effective varies by individual needs.Having said that, some aspects of humanistic therapy, such as the focus on individual experiences and emotions, may still benefit younger clients who need a supportive and empathetic environment.

Language barriers and speech limitations can pose significant challenges to effective humanistic therapy. Although therapists are often trained to navigate these obstacles, they may still struggle to connect with clients as deeply as intended. However, the rise of teletherapy and online therapy has opened new doors aside from in person therapy, allowing individuals to access humanistic therapy from professionals who speak their native language or offer alternative communication methods, such as texting or email.

How to find a humanistic therapist

If you think humanistic therapy might be right for you, it’s important to speak with a licensed and experienced clinician. There are many types of mental health care providers who practice humanistic therapy, including licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs) and more.

On top of finding someone specializing in humanistic therapy, you want to make sure they meet your other needs. For example, if you’re struggling with an eating disorder, you may want to find a humanistic therapist who also specializes in eating disorders. In addition, finding a therapist who accepts your insurance can make therapy much more affordable.

You can find a therapist who accepts your insurance and specializes in humanistic therapy by using Grow Therapy. After filtering for your location, insurance, and needs, you can then select “Humanistic” from the “Treatment methods” drop-down.