Humanistic psychology: this short article explains Humanistic psychology in a practical way. Next to what it is, this articel also highlights the key aspects, types of therapy, and tips and tricks. Enjoy reading!
Humanistic psychology: this short article explains Humanistic psychology in a practical way. Next to what it is, this articel also highlights the key aspects, types of therapy, and tips and tricks. Enjoy reading!
Humanistic psychology is an approach to psychology that emerged in the 20th century, as a reaction to the theories of psychoanalysis and behaviorism of Sigmund Freud and BF Skinner.
Abraham Maslow, from New York City, the United States, identified a third need in psychology. The so-called third force in psychology. The humanistic mindset of psychology gained traction because of this man.
The original theorists of humanistic theory, in addition to Maslow, include Carl Rogers, Rollo May and Clark Moustakas. They believed that previous developed approaches were insufficient to explain human nature.
The goal of humanistic psychology is to help the client believe that all people are inherently good. It includes a holistic approach and pays particular attention to the phenomenon of creativity, as well as free will and positive human potential. It encourages people to see themselves as a whole person, which is greater than the sum of all the individual parts of the human being. It additionally encourages self-examination, rather than studying other people.
Humanistic psychology additionally recognizes spirituality as an important part of the psyche. It is also linked to the emerging field of transpersonal psychology.
In short, the focus of humanistic psychology is on the person himself and his search for self-actualization.
Therapy forms based on humanistic psychology focus primarily on self-awareness and reflexivity among clients. It stimulates to address states of mind and behaviors and change them to be healthier and more thoughtful. This type of therapy therefore goes well with mindfulness and behavioral therapy.
Maslow and Rogers led the way in delivering client-centered therapy, or person centered therapy. They distinguished between people’s self-image and society’s perception of themselves and focus on personal growth. This approach is considered a more positive form of psychology.
Other forms of humanistic therapy are:
Logotherapy is a therapeutic approach aimed at helping individuals search for the meaning of life. The method was devised by Victor Frankl, who stated that having a meaningful life is important to wanting to keep living.
The goal of Gestalt therapy is to make clients more aware of their experiences in the world. Therapists who practice this method do not aim to change the client themselves. Clients are mainly encouraged to focus on self-awareness and processing things in the here and now.
Existential therapy aims to help clients accept and overcome fears inherent in being human. Clients are especially guided in learning to take responsibility for choices made.
Narrative therapy is a goal-oriented form of therapy that uses change to explore how language is used to construct and sustain problems.
The benefits of humanistic therapy are outlined by an article of the Association for Humanistic Psychology. One of the benefits mentioned, is that it provides an opportunity to come back from a troubled world to the healthy path of self-reflection and self-awareness. The freedom given to the client in this form of therapy to make their own decisions about the course of therapy is maximized.
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