Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic therapy, also known as humanism, is a therapeutic approach that combines mindfulness and behavioral therapy, with positive social support. Humanistic therapy is grounded in the belief that people are innately good. The focus is on the individual client’s experience, with humanistic therapists believing that that approach is more beneficial and informative than a focus on groups of individuals with similar characteristics. Emphasis is given to creativity, free will, and human potential, with a focus on a person’s positive traits and their ability to use their personal instincts to find wisdom, growth, healing, and fulfillment within themselves. This type of therapy encourages a self-awareness and mindfulness that helps the client change their state of mind and behavior from one set of reactions to a healthier one with more productive and thoughtful actions. Think this approach might be right for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s humanistic therapy experts.

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Any individual that is diagnosed as Bipolar or depression is going to find increased difficulty in actualizing his or her needs and wants. Therefore, utilizing a humanistic approach when looking at the impact of bipolar disorder on the individual’s ability to empathize with others seems only natural. Key ingredients include: empathy, unconditional positive regard, a non-pathologizing approach, active listening, and restatement of client's words to attest to clarity of genuine understanding.

— Dana Fears, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Tigard, OR

In humanistic therapy, we emphasize self-awareness, personal growth, and self-actualization. We believe in your innate potential to lead a fulfilling life and reach your highest potential when provided with the right conditions and support. In our therapeutic relationship, we create a warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment where we can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences openly and honestly. Together, we will embark on a journey of self-exploration and self-acceptance.

— Danna Blumenau, Student Therapist in Frisco, TX
 

We are all connected through our shared experience of being human. Getting to know ourselves is one of the most empowering and healing things we can do. I fully believe that being seen, heard, and witnessed nonjudgmentally by another human is one of the most healing experiences we can have.

— Lindsay Anderson, Professional Counselor Associate in , OR

AKA Rogerian therapy; Rogers believed similarly to Maslow, but also believed that the pathway to this actualization is a fertile environment where unconditional positive regard and transparency are present in the room. I am a natural cheerleader of people.

— Gregory Gooden, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in POMONA, CA
 

A foundation of humanistic therapy is recognizing the potential of each individual and helping them to actualize this. Everyone, at times, struggles in actualizing their potential. Roadblocks to personal growth often lead to anxiety, doubt, insecurity, and depression. Self-awareness, self-acceptance, and growth toward actualizing one's potential are important components of overcoming a variety of personal, emotional, ad relational problems.

— Louis Hoffman, Psychologist in Colorado Springs, CO

Through a humanistic lens, my sessions tend to be less-structured and focused more on supporting and understanding you without any judgment.

— Kimberly Jaso, Mental Health Counselor in New York, NY
 

If you're human, chances are you have experienced some sort of angst. I see the humanistic and person-centered approaches as two sides of the same coin. As a secular humanist, my values closely align with this methodology in that I love helping my clients realize that they have everything they need to cope with reality. People often just need to be shown how to rediscover their strengths and reminded that it's ok to not be ok.

— Kayce Hodos, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in , NC

Humanistic theories of therapy generally mirror the basic techniques of therapy taught to all social workers during their master's program. In other words I strive to be client-centered, strengths-based, solution-focused, and authentic. I try to blend pragmatism and warmth and adapt to your needs, even when that means some limited strategic self-disclosure or directive guidance when requested. But creating a safe and nourishing space is always a prerequisite to the use of other techniques.

— Samuel Wilson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Kensington, MD
 

Humanistic/Person-Centered Therapy is based on the belief that we each have the capacity to grow and self-actualize, when provided with a supportive environment. To create a safe and supportive therapeutic space, I listen with empathy and unconditional positive regard, believing that you are the expert on your own life. I also strive to create a space that is free of judgment, in which we both can be authentic in our expression, and where you can find answers that are true to you.

— Carla Preiss, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate

Once complicated feminine experience came to light, terms like ‘objective’ began to define what experience was real & good. Well-being was about some kind of transcendence only available to those who already had safety & freedom. Too many folx have neither. They reach their potential here in the muck of daily life & would flourish in the absence of oppression. My humanistic lens finds the truth of subjective experience for Whole-people-in-context that are unique, inherently good, & autonomous.

— Sarah Kendrick, Mental Health Counselor in Portland, OR
 

You will find a humanistic approach in working with me, as I take a "whole person" approach in processing and exploring. I believe that every person has unique traits that can be supportive of their growth and healing, and I help clients tune into their own instinctive knowing to gain more insight, wisdom, personal development, and overall fulfillment.

— Alyssa McLean, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Los Angeles, CA

You're human! I'm human! That's where we're all starting from, meaning that we're therapist and client second. So I know I'm going to mess up from time to time; I invite you to take a chance and mess up sometimes too. Let's own what happens and get into the muck together. In the meantime, I really believe in your strengths (and will highlight them A LOT), and will work SIDE-BY-SIDE with you to figure out what you need and how to get it.

— Brian Jones, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Seattle, WA
 

My approach to treating trauma, anxiety and chronic pain is all about you. I’ll do my best to reduce stigma and shame around your experiences when we’re working together. I’ll listen deeply, as clarifying questions to make sure our work is helpful and I’ll invite you to get comfortable: take walk, move around on a yoga ball, or get cozy under a weighted blanket.

— Sydney Rose, Therapist in New York, NY

I believe the client is the expert on themself, and I am here to support them in their own process. I can provide resources along the way, but I don't have the "answers"--you have them within yourself already.

— Georgie Kelly, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in SAN DIEGO, CA
 

In my therapeutic practice, Humanistic Therapy serves as a guiding philosophy, placing paramount importance on the unique experiences and innate potential of each individual. Rooted in empathy, authenticity, and the belief in personal growth, this approach creates a therapeutic alliance where clients feel genuinely seen and understood.

— Alex Kawliche, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Tampa, FL

In my therapeutic practice, Humanistic Therapy serves as a guiding philosophy, placing paramount importance on the unique experiences and innate potential of each individual. Rooted in empathy, authenticity, and the belief in personal growth, this approach creates a therapeutic alliance where clients feel genuinely seen and understood.

— Alex Kawliche, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Tampa, FL
 

People want to reach their potential and become self-actualized. This therapy style is more about the person doing the therapy than the techniques. Clinicians who practice humanistic therapy generally follow Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow's principle of person-centered therapy. It is a positive approach and focuses on the here and now of a person's life.

— Dr. Evelyn Comber, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Rockford, IL