Humanistic Approaches to Counselling

This research paper investigates the different humanistic approaches to counseling and how they can be used to help clients. It begins by discussing the main features of humanistic counseling, including its focus on the individual’s subjective experience and self-growth. It then describes three of the most popular humanistic approaches: person-centered counseling, gestalt therapy and transactional analysis. Finally, it looks at how humanistic approaches can be integrated with other counseling approaches to create a more holistic approach.

Humanistic counseling is a type of therapy that focuses on the individual’s subjective experience and personal growth. The main features of humanistic counseling are empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard (Rogers, 1961). Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. Congruence is the ability to be genuine and authentic with clients. Unconditional positive regard is the acceptance of clients regardless of their flaws or shortcomings.

Person-centered counseling, also known as client-centered therapy, is a humanistic approach that was developed by Carl Rogers (1902-1987). Rogers believed that all individuals have the potential to grow and change if they receive the right conditions. These conditions include empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard. Person-centered counseling is based on the principles of respect, equality, and autonomy (Rogers, 1961).

Gestalt therapy is a humanistic approach that was developed by Fritz Perls (1893-1970). Gestalt therapy emphasizes the importance of awareness and responsibility. It encourages clients to become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Gestalt therapy also focuses on the here-and-now rather than the past or future (Perls, 1969).

Transactional analysis is a humanistic approach that was developed by Eric Berne (1910-1970). Transactional analysis is based on the idea that all human interaction is made up of transactions. These transactions are between parent, adult, and child ego states. Transactional analysis aims to help people understand these different ego states and how they impact their lives (Berne, 1964).

Humanistic approaches to counseling can be integrated with other approaches to create a more holistic approach. For example, humanistic approaches can be combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy to help clients change their thoughts and behaviors. Humanistic approaches can also be combined with Solution-Focused Brief Therapy to help clients identify and achieve their goals.